Tino – Set You Free

Leo Dimartino, the Manchester-based house music producer, delivers his second release under the Tino banner – no relation to the Meat Beat Manifesto-affiliated breaks and beats project of the same name which operated a couple of decades back. A rich, vibrant slice of house music that feels both timeless and freshly inspired. Opening with ‘Set You Free’, the trio tap into classic deep house with sensual vocals, sharp stabs and a breezy old-school charm. ‘Tinto!’ follows with a more melodic, disco-tinged vibe, dripping in late-night atmosphere and subtle groove – a true deep cut. Side-B lifts the energy again with ‘Give That’, all crisp percussion, fun, bouncy rhythms and a smooth, infectious melody that’s impossible not to move to. Closing track ‘Obsession’ is perhaps the catchiest of the lot, layering vocal hooks over a sleek, rolling groove that could easily become a crowd favourite. In just four tracks, Stokes, Corrigan and Powell manage to showcase a deep understanding of house’s emotional core, combining for an EP that’s both playful and seriously polished.