by Sterling McGarvey

An oft-used description for Spacek labels them the "Radiohead of Soul." One step further would extend out and say that if Thom Yorke and D'Angelo got locked in a studio together, they would conceive something akin to Spacek's futuristic soul.

Championed by the likes of nu jazz stalwarts such as King Britt, 4Hero and Vikter Duplaix, Spacek's sound demonstrates that even in a genre that has reached a saturation point in popularity, there are still undeniable gems.

Opening with "It's Not Gonna Happen," the velveteen vocals of Steve Spacek glide over the bottom-heavy bassline and funky drums. Other highlights include "Light Up My Life," which, with its eccentric drum programming, has a sound reminiscent of Pharcyde's "Drop," and "123 Magic," managing to make wind chimes sound dope. Frontman Steve Spacek's smoky vocals wrap themselves around every eccentric chord and drum layer with a velveteen smoothness.

Suffice it to say, Spacek has delivered an album so forward-thinking that it brings to mind an old De La Soul line that (I think) went, "So when I rock this in February, you won't catch it til' December." Heads are going to sleep on this album. Don't be one of them.

Spacek - Vintage Hi-Tech

Tracklisting:

1. It's Not Going to Happen
2. Motion Control
3. Time
4. Porno (feat. Vikter Duplaix)
5. I Know
6. Light Up My Life
7. Amazing
8. Starz
9. 123 Magic