Madrid Groove – Arsa

For the third release on their Thank You sub-label, Berlin's Sound Metaphors crew has decided to reissue an obscure but highly sought-after chunk of Balearic house from 1989. "Arsa" was the one and only 12" from Madrid Groove, a Spanish duo comprised of Pedro Arranz and Ram-J. The title track is particularly potent, featuring as it does a saucer-eyed blend of thrusting acid bass, loved-up piano riffs and oodles of sun-baked flamenco guitars. Also impressive are the New Jersey deep house influenced brilliance of "Madrid Groove" and "Suave", a tasty fusion of swinging, electro-influenced house drums, thickset synth bass, fluid piano solos, ultra-dreamy chords and "Sueno Latino" style female spoken word vocals.