Phil Passera & Jimmy Day's Payfone project has a track record of pristine RnB-tinged bangers on many labels including Golf Channel, and most recently Leng. 2023's I Feel You was a blast of steam in the aftermath of the pandemic; a breathy and passionate vocal from Kyd Nereida soaring over mid-tempo disco with a fabulous mix from Paul 'Mudd' Murphy to boot. It's not all too slow to disco, 2017's "Justified" weaved together a soulful vocal with crowd noise over a driving synth-guitar groove. 2024 brought "Wild Butterfly", a sax-tastic workout which also included an update of their 2014 classic "Paradise".

Following an increasing cadence of 12s on their own label, Otis Recordings. a six-course Lunch LP is landing sometime this spring (head to Phonica's site to hear the clips).. Exquisitely produced, it's a sinuous blend of live instrumentation and electronics, unique vocal collaborations, and sexiness. We're firmly in 90-100 BPM territory here, sexy summer vibes, the sound you want to bump in your ride.

Opener "Movin' On" gets going with an acapella vocal from Willis Earl Beale that for my ears recalls Paul Simpson's "Musical Freedom" pitched down and with a foreboding edge. Things start getting chonky around two minutes in, it's a cool slow burner. "Paperman" has a vocal-driven sound that recalls the smooth nu-disco vibe found on Eskimo recordings in the 2010s. "Joan of Arc" should be the laidback pop crossover hit this summer with an earworm chorus from Ludmilla Rodriguez. "Spend the Night" brings us back into disco territory, Nile Rodgers rhythm guitar with another aching vocal duet. "Pamela" changes the vibe up with alternating vocals playing out a psychodrama lament. "Pony Bar" is a wistful closer; half-spoken vocals and a melancholy sax ride a rhythm guitar groove off into the sunset. A spliff at the ranch.

Payfone are currently in the midst of a UK/EU tour culminating with a show at Glitterbox Ibiza, check their Insta for details.