Recloose is Detroit electronic soul artist Matt Chicoine. Musically, his work could be looseley grouped with Moodymann or Theo Parrish (on his Parallel Dimensions CD).

Hiatus On The Horizon is his second full-length - the follow-up to 2002's Cardiology album. In the past Recloose has had many releases (mixes and 12inch) on Carl Craig's Planet E records. This is his first release for London's Peacefrog Records.

Recloose first came to my attention through Recloose Presents: Jigsaw Music, a mix album he did for the Belgian lavel Eskimo Recordings. Along with Eskimo's Rag Mang CD, I have always wanted to hear that disc, but never have.

Hiatus On The Horizon is Matt Chicoine's first release since moving to Wellington New Zealand. The album uses several guest vocalists from New Zealand.

Dust is the first single. The song features Joe Dukie on vocals. I don't think it is anything special. I was surprised that it was chosen as the single. I like the other Joe Dukie song, Time Is On Your Side, better. Time Is On Your Side starts off with a dancehal styled voice, but quickly becomes a nu-jazz / nu-soul song.

Mana's Bounce is a ska instrumental that sounds different that everything else on the record. You could play this track at any Mod party without setting of any alarm bells at all (unlike all the other tracks on the disc, which might appeal more to nu-jazz fans than Mod fans). On the nu-jazz angle, I think that Recloose will appeal to anyone who likes the Japanese artist Yukihiro Fukutomi.

Mana's Bounce is followed by Turkish Delight, the first song that stood out and struck me on the record. It too is an instrumental, but instead of a ska sound, it blends an Afrobeat sound with a touch of the I Dream of Jeannie theme in the way J-pop artists like Mansfield did around Y2K.

The Game Goes On has soulful vocals by Hollie Smith. As I am not a nu-Soul fan, this song didn't appeal to me. It is a deep, slow track. Makutu Man is an instrumental with vibes and a Roy Ayers meets Afrobeat feel. Why I Otta closes the record with a pretty nifty blend of electronic instrumentation and afrobeats.

I really enjoy Moodymann's work on Peacefrog and have bought Peacefrog releases by Kenny Larkin and Lucien-n-Luciano hoping for the same kick, but have not found it. I feel the same way about Hiatus On The Horizon. I had high expectations for the record after reading glowing reviews, and knowing Recloose had been an Eskimo Recordings artist, but Hiatus On The Horizon doesn't seem to have the draw to pull you back again and again for repeated listening.

Instrumentals: 5,6,8,10

Faves: 1,6,9