Helder Russo is the youngest of eleven, raised in Lisbon in a family from the island of Santiago, Cabo Verde. He's a prolific music producer with a couple of heavy releases on Groovement Recordings and as half of Gatupreto on TINK!. Russo's music is thought out and solid, his reference list is long and diverse, citing Rhythm & Sound in the same context as Miles Davis, Sade, the late great MJ, Boo Williams, Carl Craig or Jay Dilla. The result is a soundtrack composed with care and attention, detailed and rich though still powerful and present. The title track, Church Music, presents a demanding exercise in joy and spiritual ecstasy. An organic, syncopated groove that elegantly disposes the obvious steady kick drum for a relentless organ chord that sets the moody tone for what comes: sharp claps, cutting high hats, dense, dramatic pads and a bone chilling key solo from record label's mate Daino. It's an ode to the primordial tradition, the transcending unity one feels in the midst of a gospel church. The relentless dance floor version picks up where the original left off, giving it the best steady house beat with all the right swing, it's a no brainer pick for the peak time club moments of deeper elegance a flawless flip on the original that reflects the chemistry and magic that happens when Russo hooks up with his mate Kaspar. The somewhat apologetically named New Beat bares all the marks of a brilliant gush of emotional genius: it is sincere, transparent, original and unpredictable. Warm pads convey beauty, harshly contrasted by a nasty and off grid arpeggiated bass line while a deep sub layer floats under a hot break beat. The standout moment is the piano break down that serves as a beautiful interlude for the grand reprise at the end. Finally, You & Me rocks an amazing 90's R'n'B vibe, that is both classic and classy! It's a track that borrows heavily from Russo's upbringing and background in urban music, made whole with a clear futuristic vibe that pays great respect to the immense richness of the most classic 313 electronic sound. Russo's Church Music EP is a must have for the true electronic soul lover, a work of academic worth and is sure to break ground in many a forward thinking dance floor.