REVIEW: C.K - Heart, Mind, Soul [Private Recording System]

My grandfather always said, “A job isn’t worth doing unless it’s done well.” Whether it was mowing the lawn or clearing the gutters, he’d finish with such care that not a single blade of grass was left uneven, not a leaf left behind.

Danish producer, DJ, and label head C.K seems to live by the same philosophy. He writes and spins some of the warmest and fuzziest house music out there, delivered with almost surgical precision. There is a pleasant electric current running through the Århus locals' sound, a hum few others can conjure. Every time I hit play on one of his records, I feel this irresistible urge to bop about with glee. C.K’s latest EP, Heart, Mind, Soul, is no different. A collection of three tracks that inspire frolicking under a sun that bronzes but doesn’t scorch. 

Kicking things off comes “Ever So,” consisting of warm pads, a subby kick and quavering synth strikes. The track unfolds like a slinky tumbling down the stairs, gradually picking up steam as C.K layers in drum machines and expertly creates room for the belltones to really breathe. There’s a mirage quality to the song, think gazing along a highway on a sweltering day and watching the heat shimmer in the distance. To top it off, C.K litters the trackbed with a jovial vocal snippet, adding more fun to fuel the first lap. 

Up next is my personal favourite, “Laced.” Remember when I said C.K’s tracks make me want to prance around? This one’s a prime example. Anchored by a thudding kick with hi-hats and a looping synth line for company, “Laced” is all-out euphoria. Each note is a support worker for the next one in line, creating a palpable feeling of momentum. You know those moments in films where the protagonist is on the comeback trail and everything is falling into place. This is the sonic embodiment of everything that character now touches, turning to gold. While much of the electronic music world chases the rush of a ‘drop’, C.K prescribes slow-release medication. “Laced” delights in the joy of sounds getting to know one another and the pull of a consistent and classy groove. Like much of his work, this cut is simultaneously soft and hard, delivering playful jabs that don’t inflict harm. 

Closing things out is the percussive rush of “Sap (Dub).” A resonant bongo sets the pace while darting synths whip up a sense of urgency. Like bubbles sprinting to the rim of a cold cider, the whole thing feels alive and restless. The synths seem to hurry into the fold, but instead of grating, they only add to an already buoyant mood, a hallmark of C.K’s craft. If ‘Perky House’ were ever a sub-genre, this track would wear the tag proudly. 

I’ve tracked CK’s journey for a while now, and he’s gone about it the right way. From launching his successful label PRS (Private Recording System), holding down a central role in the Danish Regelbau imprint, to running Safe Distribution alongside his crew and putting out, in my opinion, the Internet’s finest mix series, Safe Radio — C.K has forever been about community. He’s a purveyor of sublime club sounds, a man of the people, and Heart, Mind, Soul is yet another beautiful string in his bow.