Gramophonedzie - Why Don’t You (Virgin / Positiva)

Elliott Lewis-George | Monday, 05 April 2010

To stand even a slim chance of making the top 20 with something over 120bpm you've either got to be Calvin Harris, wear a mouse's head or be a grime MC making clichéd electro tunes with someone as close to the above as possible. However, peaking at number 12 in the UK singles chart this May, 'Why Don't You' by Gramophonedzie may well topple this theory.

The Serbian producer, also known as Marko Milicevic, has created a record that makes you want to grab your partner and jive. Whether it's blasting out of your local wine bar or being spun by the Balearic big boys like Roger Sanchez and DJ Sneak, the swing sampling record has proven to be a hit throughout the entire audio universe.

'Why Don't You' chugs along nicely with shuffling snares and chopped up horns, creating a well rounded piece of jacking house with more melody than many other tunes that have emerged from the sub-genre. However, it's with the frequent breakdowns that Gramophonedzie's true talent as a producer surfaces.

The Red Bull Music Academy graduate adds a unique dimension to the track with bluesy vocals, previously made famous by Jessica Rabbit in the cartoon 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit?' It's nice to hear a producer give the sample time to breath without chopping it up beyond recognition.

Released earlier this year, this tune may realistically be Gramaphonedzie's only hit, if you bypass his sound tracking duties on the Balkan franchise of Big Brother. Nevertheless, 'Why Don't You' marks true craftsmanship whilst not being scared to show individuality.

Rating: 4/5