Maricopa is an enigma. His tender years belie an encyclopedic obsession for soulful music. His hugely expressive creations seem incompatible with his quiet natured and considered personality. And having had the pleasure of his company, his naivety at the behest of two turntables and a mixer belie a prodigious production talent like few of his contemporaries. With previous EP excursions on Tusk Wax and Back To The Balearics, Maricopa’s soundscapes are quickly becoming the stuff of Balearic legend and charged with composing this inaugural release on new imprint Fools & Fables (rumored to have ties with the Sleazy Beats camp) there is no doubt he has reached new heights. Two tracks of a rare and particular beauty, strangely clocking in at exactly the same duration, SOUL LITE on the A side is trademark sundown Maricopa. Warm keys and harmonious melody weave with atmospheric percussion and soft complementary drums that all coalesce to whisk your mind off to a place where you feel the sun on your face and the sand between your toes. The flip offers THIS WAY FOREVER, an excursion into 110bpm mid-tempo Balearic, if such a thing exists. A bit punchier than his usual fare, but still unmistakably Maricopa – soulful, full of character and detail, driven by a sun-soaked groove and key change licks throughout. This is as close to house as you’ll find Maricopa dare. Mastered to sonic perfection by Ebony Cuts, this is a special release. 10”, black sleeves and inlays, storyboard artwork and each record individually shrink-wrapped, FF01 sets a new standard in cherishing extraordinary music.