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Northern Life Records is a label based in Manchester, England and set up by Naveed Akhtar. The labels focus is primarily on Nav’s own productions under his 'Sasso' and 'Freak Seven' monikers.
Sasso has already got fans in the form of Mr Bongo, Mike Chadwick, Mr Scruff, Norman Jay, Giles Peterson, Irfan Rainy, BBE and other discerning sorts.
As 'Freak Seven' he’s had releases on Rush Hour, 20/20 Vision & New Religion and with the music being more on the side of a dark club, his supporters switch to Weatherall, James Holroyd, Dave Clarke, Anthony Shakir and Turbo Recordings.
Taking his inspiration from Cheetham Hill, the 80’s, street soul, Mr Khan’s electro compilations, the TR-808 and frequency modulated synthesisers, this accomplished producer brings us ‘The Place I’ve Always known’ - An eight track full length excursion into the musical mind of Naveed Akhtar.
'Sober Head' starts the order of the day. A snapped-tight mid tempo groove, with hints of Minneapolis funk and slivers of Compass Point, glued together with a hefty dollop of Mancunia. Spooky synths and strings lead to the outro with Sasso's conguero percusionista chanting, “Oh Zenia, oh Zenia, oh Zenia super madre ya es”. Throughout the album there are aural signposts; A head nod to electro boogie, a tip o' the hat to the Balearics, a wink at the Motor City and a thumbs-up to a neon utopia for hardware synth heads, FM geeks and the diaspora of analog freaks.
Sasso's production and arrangements carve out a place for everything and everything sits snug and smug in its place. Question and answer rhythms, staccato Moogs, analog tape delays, a minor stood surefootedly on the shoulders of a major balancing on another minor. Low frequency oscillators and D-Train'esque stabs are nested with an affectionate empathy alongside percussion, flute, vocals and the occasional Fender bassline. Take heed of the sign above the door, 'Feed The VST's With Caution!'
Naveed Akhtar on synths & drum computers
Steve Chadwick on trumpet
Chris Manis on percussion & vocals
Michael McDonnell on guitar (Georgio)
Sylvan Richardson on bass & guitar (Four)
Steve Rigby on bass (Panic Attack)
Ben Walker on flute
Recorded & mixed by Seadna McPhail @Airtight Studios
