Packed full of cinematic textures, plaintive vocals and dusty house grooves, The Last Raw Era is the debut album from Hollis Parker: a vinyl-only love-letter to New York City that harks back to bygone days of US house music.

The LP applies a hip-hop production aesthetic to a collection of tracks which keep a close focus on house music. There are 10 tracks here (41 min, 44 sec) and there are two cohesive narratives that run throughout; an audio adventure that makes this feel like a lovingly crafted movie soundtrack. Both are love stories, the first being Parker's feelings towards New York, and the second being a tale between two strangers.

The music incorporates so many genres, but the jazz element is particularly pleasing. In fact, the final track, 'The Cab Ride Home' is a particular stand out moment for me. It felt like a lovingly crafted tribute to Vince Guaraldi.

As debut albums go, they don't come much more polished than this.

8

Nick Smithson