Maceo Plex conjures pure underground magic with three-track Ellum return [EP Review]

by: Dan Roy Carter Feb 18, 2014

Of all the artists to take the pedestal in underground house music’s upper echelon, Maceo Plex’s place is seldom refuted. Having topped our Top 25 house and techno list back in 2013, the Ellum head honcho returns to the label armed with a three-track vison for the fruitfully tailored sound that has left him a man notably untouchable by modern industry standards.

The harrowing melodic stamina meets supple rhythmic undertones head first for “Conjure Drama” – a track bringing somewhat cinematic properties to his gritty house sound. As “Conjure Bass” moves things towards a sinister yet minimalistic ensemble of percussive force and off-color synth work, it is “Conjure Balearia” that brings beautifully composed melodies and striking low-end floor play to the table for one hell of a musical climax. We’ve come to expect wonders from the man lesser-known as Maetrik over the years, but the Conjure One EP comes to represent by far the most daring dance with underground house sound both he and Ellum have taken to date. For a man so well ornamented across the global circuit, there can be no charges of creative stagnation towards Maceo Plex with this three-track showstopper on the horizon.