Palermo House Gang

Magic Touch's first album, 2014's Palermo House Gang, is a rollicking, rolling trip back in time to an era of good-time house music populated by trilling divas, banging piano chords, and the kind of beats that make you wanna dance when all you really want to do is get some sleep instead. Mi Ami drummer Damon Palermo has been spinning and producing under the name for a few years and he's honed his sound until it shines like refracted shards of disco ball light. He welcomes in a bunch of simpatico guests like Newbody, Sorcerer, the Horses, Benny Badge, Ash Williams, and Octo Octa to help craft the songs and everyone does a stellar job adding vocals and aiding with production — Octo Octa especially on the epic-length "House of Intuition," which takes the listener on a 13-minute journey of skittering beats, atmospheric keys, and murky vocals. The collabo with Badge is very shimmery, tightly wound filter disco of the highest order, and the song featuring Sorcerer's guitar work and Sarah Bat's powerful vocals, "I Need the Magic," is wonderfully insistent hip-house magic. The record is a pure expression of love for house music and Palermo's update of classic sounds is inspired and inspiring. Whether taking one of the songs out for a spin at a progressive-minded dance club or listening under a set of headphones, there's no doubt that every song here will have you moving your body while stimulating your mind. The best dance music can do that, and Palermo's work here as Magic Touch certainly qualifies for that designation.