In July of last year, we noted that Samo Sound Boy’s production acumen had improved greatly since his first EP on Body High and the “Your Love” single solidified that fact. On March 18, Samo’s Open/Divine will be released on Body High (now helmed by the reputable Joaquin Bartra), an event that will mark the Los Angeles label’s first vinyl release. Until then, we have a taste of “Open”, a clanging, late night club track that exhibits Samo’s melodic prowess and overall compositional ability. If you’ve attended any Body High events recently, you’ll surely recognize the mood and atmosphere Samo is attempting to attain on “Open”.

Take the following with a grain of salt because the to be mentioned individual is one of our absolute favorite DJs and general curators/label bosses: Samo Sound Boy has never impressed us with his production work. Neither 2011’s Shuffle Code EP (on Trouble & Bass) or last year’s acid drenched 5 Dollar Paradise (on Body High) really piqued our interest, especially when juxtaposed with Samo’s extensive knowledge of the American dance music lexicon and prodigious command of the DJ booth. As much as we attempted to embrace both of the aforementioned EPs, they both came off as a little too derivative and dry, lacking the adventurous spirit of a Floyd Cambpell or the pure technical abilities of a Jerome LOL. That being said, “Spirit Tool” has absolutely knocked us off our feet. Relentlessly driving and positive, Samo’s latest is the exact type of track that he so often utilizes to obliterate Los Angeles dancefloors. A slinky yet simple melody enraptures as the rhythmic elements heave and kick with a hedonistic freedom that has come to define the Body High sound. It’s pointless to make predictions, but if Samo can continue in this form on the production front, he can and will be one of the most dynamic forces in Transatlantic dance music.