Review: Charlie EP by The Phantom's Revenge

Released on Italian record label La Valigetta in December 2010 - The Phantom's Revenge's Charlie is an extremely fantastic body of work from the coveted French producer at the height of his reign - containing five tracks, all of which have since become classics of the second wave of filter house music.

Charlie contains what is undoubtedly some of TPR's best work over his eighteen years in the house music game - whether that's the upbeat, fun titular track Charlie - a bona fide classic of filter house built off of Gayle Adams with pounding drums and crazy chops, or the funky club weapon Bastards Can Do 90 - sampling Precious Wilson to a T while also including various clips from iconic 80s movie Back to the Future.

I first found out about this EP in the summer of 2024 after Romanian-American producer and DJ FIBRE dropped the third track from the EP, Last Man Standing in an online DJ set. It caught my attention instantly - as the track is known for some SLAMMING production and heavy low end - making it a club destroying weapon which can wreck parties and events - (Side note to DJs - this is DEFINITELY one to put in your crate - you can thank me later.)

Other than that, Machine Gun Girl and Mr Fahrenheit are just as good - both tracks have some excellent sample chopping (I mean, it's Phantom, what do you expect!) - flipping disco classics (Mr Fahrenheit samples "In The Heat of a Disco Night" by Arabesque - tuuuune!) into crazy pump up jams and filter house anthems - and also a likely unhealthy amount of side chain - but hey, it's house music - those drums have to pump!

The only thing I'd have to say to not have this EP be a flawless 10/10 - is the mastering. This is to no fault of TPR's own - rather, La Valigetta instead paid The Exchange (a mastering studio based in London) an extremely low amount of money to master the tracks for release - leading to the tracks being CRANKED up. Good for playing at home? Absolutely. In clubs and public settings - the tracks may be a little bit loud - so make sure to turn down your gains!

Overall - Charlie is an incredible body of work from one of French house's most respected producers - and for those looking for things to dance to - go and give this EP a spin - you will not be disappointed at all.

It can be found online in various places - however YouTube is likely your best bet.

Charlie EP on YouTube

Rating - 9/10

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