The vast universal penetration and appeal of music never ceases to amaze me. In regards to Soul, you find the visceral art form springing up in places where melanin never did. Soulful House is no exception. You see, Gus Gus is from Iceland - and their Blue-Eyed-Techno-Soul by way of Detroit.

Gus Gus wants you to dance and they make no apologies for it. They aren’t talking about you two-stepping to some watered down, Pop, Treble-Techno bullshit, either. These guys want you to sweat, make a quick pit stop at the bar, and then comeback to sweat some more – Deep House style.

The Icelandic crew that was originally started in 1995 as a film and acting collective, have been throwing down heavy basslines and distorted “four to the floor” beats for over a decade. Their sixth full-length album ‘Forever’ is a solid offering of House with a bit of Electro thrown in for the sleazy. ‘Forever’ finds Gus Gus laying down even harder beats and punchier keyboards for a thundering release of instrumentals and dance-friendly vocal tracks.

Of the original nine members there now remain three - President Bongo, Biggi Veira and Earth. The Ice Queen vocalist Earth was recently recruited over the last few years to revitalize the group - and it worked because Earth can “sang”. As usual, their strongest tracks are the ones that offer vocals. From the first hand-clapping, crispy thump of ‘You’ll Never Change’, you know that Earth’s intent is to take you on a Soul Train ride to the Land of the Old School House Diva – with a layover in Europe of course. ‘Hold On’ helps solidify this with its finger popping and Earth’s vocal improv. ‘Need In Me’, with its up-tempo tambourine rhythm and keyboard work gives a respectful nod to Inner City’s ‘Big Fun’ and ‘Good Life’.

The addition of Electro tracks ‘Forever’ and ‘If You Don’t Jump (You’re English)’ are refreshing changes of pace to the mostly House album and showcases another side of Gus Gus. ‘Forever’s’ low end, dirty bassline is sure to contort your face into an “it’s nasty and I like it” expression – just make sure you’re in the privacy of your own home when it happens. You’re ready when the sex-drenched House sounds of ‘Sweet Smoke’ lick your ears with the reverb of a rhythm guitar hovering in the background. And, just in case that’s not enough, the kick drum heavy instrumentals ‘Lust’ and ‘Porn’ help keep your loins on alert as well.

As much as I like Earth’s vocals, original (now ex-) member Daníel Ágúst’s voice was sorely missed. In my mind he encompasses the original and unique Gus Gus sound. Here, his only vocal (and writing) contribution is ‘Moss’, which while decent, is shy of a homerun. Ágúst’s high-register vocals and intelligent arrangements are extraordinary in the world of House music. I can only hope that he will work again with Gus Gus in the future and that his solo project ‘Swallowed A Star’ gives him the audience he deserves – but don’t look for House in this solo effort, it’s actually a classic strings project, but still worth checking out.

‘Forever’ is mostly comprised of gems, but there a couple of filler tracks like ‘Demo 54’ which should have remained so. However, once again Gus Gus shows us that Soul extends far beyond the confines of the inner city, and resides in the heart – at least for those who aren’t afraid to dance to it.

By Cazembe Abena

Album Highlights: ‘You’ll Never Change’, ‘Hold On’, ‘Need In Me’, ‘Sweet Smoke’, ‘Lust’.

Gus Gus Are:

Stephan Stephensen (President Bongo) – Progr., Keyboards, Production, Vocals
Birgir Pórarinsson (Biggi Veira) – Progr., Keyboards, Production
Urour Hákonardóttir (Earth) – Vocals

Genre(s): House, Tech House, Detroit Techno, Electro, Techno

Discography

1. Gus Gus / Self Published (1995)
2. Polydistortion / 4AD (1996)
3. This Is Normal / 4AD (1999)
4. Gus Gus vs. T-World / 4AD (2000)
5. Attention / Moonshine Music (2002)
6. Forever / Pineapple Records (2007)

F.L.O. (For Lovers Of) – Moloko, Groove Armada, Röyskopp, Juan Atkins, Model 500, Detroit Techno, The Weekend Players, Everything But The Girl, Underworld, Leftfield, Björk

www.gusgus.com

www.pineapplerecords.com