Nick Curly’s debut album Between the Lines is to be released next month on Defected Records.
Nick Curly is a name that has defined the image of the global club scene over the last few years like few others. As the driving force behind the so-called ‘Sound of Mannheim’, Curly was long considered the rising star of the international house scene, a status he has long since left behind after his subsequent meteoric rise.
With ‘Between the Lines’, Nick Curly is now taking the next step in his already impressive career. As the title suggests, there is more to it than a mere reflection of his DJ career to date; rather, on his debut album the Mannheimer presents himself from a different angle, offering the listener an intimate insight into his personality, away from the bright lights of the club circus.
‘Between the Lines’ is a thoroughly sophisticated artist album. Contrary to the trend towards sterile tracks straight out of the computer, Curly gives us the classic tools of good music: real instruments, real singers and real emotion, with virtuoso bass lines, distinctive vocal parts and organic percussion.
The melancholic chords of ‘Piano in the Dark’, for example, combine beautifully with the emotionally resonant voice of singer Worthy Davis, exquisitely suggesting the charm of legendary New York piano bars. Again in ‘Wrong Hands’, the dry grooving drum patterns are perfectly complemented by the hypnotic synth chords, while arguably the album’s strongest track ‘Underground’ builds itself around a solid 4/4 foundation but strikes too emotional a chord to be called simply a ‘club’ record.
With its intelligent arrangements and sophisticated production, Nick Curly's first studio album presents a refreshing sonic experience that will appeal to music lovers and invite repeated listening.
Between the Lines is released 5th November on Defected Records
Underground (inc. Dennis Ferrer Remix) is out 12th November
