Max Essa - The Great Adventure (2020)

Max Essa's The Great Adventure is an album of his freshest recent tracks including 'Sundowning' - a real favourite of Hell Yeah founder Marco - and a first ever digital release of 'Peninsular,' which previously appeared on vinyl via the Aficionado label.

Japan based Essa runs his own Jansen Jardin label and in 2018 put out his excellent Lanterns LP on Music For Dreams, which he recently followed up with Oto No Wa - Selected Sounds of Japan 1988 - 2018, a compilation put together with Ken Hidaka and DR Rob. He has been active since the early 90s, putting out tranquil, thoughtful sounds on the likes of Warp, Is It Balearic? Recordings and Papereordings. His fans include late legends like Andrew Weatherall and David Mancuso and he has a busy DJ diary that takes him all over Asia and South America. His music always acts as a sonic raft that floats you out to sea and leaves you bobbing up and down in a state of pure bliss.

'Sundowning' is a brilliant slow motion dance with cathartic acoustic guitars, Mediterranean grooves and retro synths, while the rest of the tunes have been getting support from those who know, and that will only continue as we start to dance properly again.

This collection shows off Essa's mature take on dance floor heaters and slow motion chillers, with plenty in between.