Jack Hamill has rather self-consciously branded his second Correlation EP on Royal Oak as "the only release I've made that I've actually enjoyed DJ-ing the tunes off it out in clubs". While that may do the previous entry a disservice, which weaved an excellent groove while retaining the trademark Space Dimension Controller esoteric narrative edge, the stripped back focus to this follow up gets its hooks in from the off. Considering his sci-fi electro roots, the gradual drift towards a sound that is equally happy when gushing out of a speaker stack as it is a pair of headphones is one that parallels many of his leftfield peers - such as Four Tet, Lone and Caribou - who have all thrived in a climate of open minded dancefloors.
This isn't to say that Correlation #2 suffers from cookie cutter kicks, the trio of tracks on show all showcase the expected Drexycian funk but with a purposeful gritting of teeth. Neon hued Miami Vice vibes permeate opener Angel Grove, featuring a reverb drenched kick that begs hand clapping appreciation from the crowd. Moving on from here you'll hear a nervous desperation running through Down In Sector H that touches on the earlier works of Mathew Jonson, which is particularly fine company to keep, before finishing off with the acid-funk of Monodynamic, which itself is progressive and climatic.
There isn't quite the same emotional range as the original Correlation, unsurprising considering there are just three tracks on show compared to the original five. However, the Space Dimension Controller sense of journey and closure is still present in end to end listens, and the functional DJ will appreciate the straightening of grooves. All in all, there are no favourites here: queue the entire series up in an epic playlist or fashion a DiY gatefold out of both vinyls with Sellotape assistance, either way you're onto a winner.
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