With releases on Toy Tonics, Freerange, Pets Recordings and Neovinyl to name just a few, Riccardo Paffetti aka Black Loops has built a stellar reputation as one of house music’s most consistent and impressive names since making his production debut back in 2013. A skilful hand both within the studio and behind the decks, the Italian’s slick blend of deep and soulful house music takes cues and inspiration from funk, disco and beyond, with his latest batch of productions coming in the form of his ‘JAH Love’ EP on Madhouse Records this May, featuring New Zealand producer and musician Nikoss.
Title track ‘JAH Love’ opens the package through a smooth blend of skipping percussion, infectious vocal samples and funk heavy instrumentation, before ‘Your Mind’ introduces the first of two productions alongside Nikoss as rich piano melodies and acid-tinged bass patterns merge effortlessly throughout the track’s six-and- a-half-minute duration.
On the flip, ‘NYC Dirty Talks’ takes a trip across the Atlantic as resonant pads and slick drum licks combine to reveal a production that would find itself perfectly at home within any Kerri Chandler set, before rounding out proceedings with the bubbling 303 driven ‘Silly Acid’ once again in partnership with Nikoss, guided by bright keys, soft chords and vibrant low-end tones.
You can listen to the full premiere of ‘JAH Love’ while reading the short and sweet interview we had with Black Loops about his upcoming summer, his past and new release and more. Enjoy !
WWD: Hi Riccardo, how are you? How’s your year been to date as we approach the early summer months?
Hi! I’m doing great thanks! This year so far has been the busiest and most productive so far for me, and I’m definitely looking forward for the summer season!
WWD: You’re set to release your first EP on Kerri Chandler’s legendary Madhouse imprint this month with ‘JAH Love’. We’ve got the premiere of the title track, tell us a little about how the EP came together and ended up with the Madhouse camp?
I’ve always wanted to release on one of Kerri’s imprints, and when Tom from Madhouse finally approached I couldn’t say no. ‘JAH Love’ came together between Berlin and Sydney, as two of the tracks from the EP are a collaboration with my good friend and super talented Australian musician Nikoss.
WWD: When asked about your favourite or influential artists in the past, Kerri Chandler is usually the first name that comes back as an answer. What is it about his music that has shaped and influenced your sound so much, and do you feel this is reflected within the EP, particularly with NYC Dirty Talks?
When we speak about house and deep house Music, in my humble opinion, Kerri is the greatest. I can’t really find a track from him that I don’t like, and after more than 20 years in the game his productions still sounds the freshest ever. He really set the standard in terms of production of this genre and he’s still a constant inspiration for me. ‘NYC Dirty Talks’ is definitely something that I produced whilst trying to keep the Kerri Chandler aesthetics present as much as I could.
WWD: We’ve been fans of your for a long time now, covering releases on Toy Tonics through to Pets Recordings and Freerange – how would you describe your sound in ten words to someone who had never heard any of your music?
Groovy, sexy, soulful, funky, smooth, deep, driving, warm, emotional & Italian.
WWD: You’ve also had a busy few months with releases on Rough Limited, Happiness Therapy and Neovinyl alongside Nikoss and Seven Davis Jr., plus shows in Canada, France, UK, South Korea, Australia and of course Germany – how much time nowadays is spent in the studio creating new material? Do you ever producer on the move?
Since I’m often touring, I’m always asking to promoters if to put me in touch with local studio owners or producers. Most of my recent releases were actually produced in Australia for example, and recently I’ve had the chance to produce in South Africa and Canada as well. When I’m not touring or DJing in Germany (where I’m based at the moment), you can definitely find me in only one place: my studio!
WWD: Lastly, what’s next on the release front and where can we catch you over summer?
After ‘JAH Love’, I will release a split EP with my good friend DJ Cream on his own imprint Smile and Stay High, then one EP on Trax Underground, one on Quality Vibe, another on Pets Recordings, and a ‘sequel’ so to speak for Freerange too. After that I will focus on launching my own imprint, hopefully by the end of the year. Busy times ahead!
Thank you!
Release date : May 17th, 2019. Buy Here
Follow: Black Loops // Madhouse Records