Nuno Estevez
Close To Me
Nuno Estevez is a Johannesburg (South Africa) based DJ/producer and Co-owner of Just Move Records. Just Move Records, an Independent International label, based in Johannesburg, specializes in Deep and Tech House music, also crossing genres into experimental and downtempo. Nuno is no novice, but rather a connoisseur of Deep House in both production and DJing, technically trained at In House Records, possesses a style and sound inspired by greats such as Jeff Mills, Carl Cox, Charles Webster, and Matthew Herbert to name but a few.
His debut album, Close To Me released by Just Move Records, 21st Jan’2014, is fully loaded with a slew of incredible melodic inversions and retrograde elements of the early to mid 90’s era of House. A variety of techniques are normally used around basic compositions in house concepts but this album maintained the same feel through-out, a typical good old school house feel encompassing both authenticity and individuality in most if not all the tracks. This composition reminds me of Matthew Herbert’s classic album Parts One Two and Three (1996).
Music Was The Answer (Original Mix): The smooth interchange of keys, the degree of relatedness between the mellowed out chords and the warm but heavy basslines captures moments in ones auditory that transports (one) to a space of euphoric Deep-bliss. The drum programming’s progression is so smooth, retaining the track’s modulation and supplying a very distinctive analog-like sound. I love the old school open-close hi-hats (that drives this masterpiece) and the low-pitched cadence voice sample. “Music is the answer” is a perfect harbinger!
Remember A Time (Original Mix): I can’t help myself but want to leap “back to the future”, reminiscences of DJ Rasoul are written all over the composition of this consequent deep monster. Not a million miles from “Music was the Answer”, but I should say the warm bassline could be a sonata and still do its justice! The drum pattern symmetrically inter-locks in the chords so seamlessly. The tune laced with outmost sophistication and baroque, definitely will take you on a beautiful yet deep musical journey, “Remember a time” is that tune.
Lost In Fantasy (Original Mix): I am not sure if the motive in this one particular track was to remind us that we are still listening to a Mzansi production. In my opinion, it stands out with authentic South African musical textures. That, for me, illustrates the evident connection the composer has with the “Motherland” musically. A generally uniform, continuous, and smooth change of keys guarantees a consistent flow throughout the track.
Sounds Of The Underground (Original Mix): Now this is a classic Deep house dancefloor burner. It gets more drama added by teasing intros of claps, groovy yester-chords and hi-hats before the vocal sample “I get down to the sounds of the underground” drops parallel to a massive-deep drum kick. What Nuno has added throughout the track is simply nothing but ingenious drum arrangements, yummy reverbed chords and no bassline, yes; this track has no bassline but its drive is a “Phat-Deep-Kick” drum that will fill any warehouse (pun intended), no matter the size.
Other tracks to pay attention to: Bring Me Forth (Original Mix) featuring Riccardo Benigno, Mind Swap (Original Mix), Music From God (Original Mix), You There (Original Mix) to name but a few. One thing for sure, the whole Album is “Deep” no compromise and I commend that!
Tracklist:
Nuno Estevez - Music Was The Answer (Original Mix)
Nuno Estevez - Remember A Time (Original Mix)
Nuno Estevez - Music From God (Original Mix)
Nuno Estevez - Mind Swap (Original Mix)
Nuno Estevez - Emotions (Original Mix)
Nuno Estevez - Lost In Fantasy (Original Mix)
Nuno Estevez featuring Riccardo Benigno - Bring Me Forth (Original Mix)
Nuno Estevez & Jade Cosmos - You There (Original Mix)
Nuno Estevez - In The Groove (Original Mix)
Nuno Estevez - Sounds Of The Underground (Original Mix)