Tom Carruthers

L.I.E.S. give NW English jack master Tom Carruthers another full album playground to enact his faithful takes on classic Chi, NYC, and Detroit house styles - RIYL Legowelt, Traxx, Jamal Moss

Carruthers has proved himself a jack of classic late ‘80s dance trades on his Non Stop Rhythm label and L.I.E.S. since 2020. ‘Downtown Rhithms’ firms up as his 4th album in this mode with a dozen tracky jams dancing on the Afro-Latinate sweetspot between early Chi house and garage, proto techno and freestyle electro - a sound very close to our heart and feet, and likewise a crucial component in classic tackle by 808 State and AGCG, the kinkier ends of Mark Archer, and Frankie Bones, who were all patently inspired by the likes of MAW and Todd Terry, Larry Heard, Chip E, et al.

Very safe to say he’s nailed this sound, one rife with slinkiest 727 drum patterns and percussive accents, and ruggedly chopped on SP1200, if we’re not mistaken. To play faves, check for signature killers in the early MAW-meets-Bonesbreaks swerve of ‘Española’, and pointillist jab-jack shuffle of ‘Ho U Feel’, a crafty use of Juan Atkins lick on ‘The Groove’, and some proper Tidd terry via 808 State breeze in ‘Latin Dream’ and the full wingspan soar of ‘Out the Door’, and something a little slinkier for the late hours in ‘Piano Man’.