JACKY POUND – GIMME MY MONEY EP

Published on 2019-12-03 00:00:00 by Harry Wootten

Since its birth two years ago, Claptrap has steadily built a reputation for unearthing fresh, downtempo deep house, sprinkled with atmospheric textures and infused with Balearic and Italo influences. With releases from artists like Donald Dust and Vanity Project, the label has demonstrated a keen ear for emerging talent—and now, following the well-trodden path of many independent imprints, Claptrap is venturing into digital with its first EP, Gimme My Money, courtesy of newcomer Jacky Pound.

Jacky Pound is the latest alias of Liam Baker, a London-born producer deeply rooted in the raw sounds of classic Acid and Chicago House. A longtime vinyl collector and hardware enthusiast, Liam has spent years refining his craft, drawing inspiration from the records he loves and channeling their essence into his own hardware-driven productions. His technical prowess and dedication to analog gear have earned him releases on a variety of labels under different monikers, as well as gigs across London and Bristol—including support slots for acts like The Black Madonna and Wes Baggaley. Beyond production, he’s also co-founded the cult London event Meeting Points and the Elektrobeast brand.

JP’s debut EP is a fiery showcase of his love for hardware’s unfiltered sound, packed with acid-laced grooves that have already garnered support from heavyweights like Perel, Dave Harvey, and Chris Fortier. True to its title, Gimme My Money playfully nods to the almighty dollar, with each track named after cold, hard cash.

The opener, Cash In Hand, is a punchy, percussive cut driven by a gritty MS101 bassline—courtesy of Behringer’s iconic synth—lending the track a Paranoid London-esque edge. A pitched-down vocal adds a sleazy, hypnotic touch, a hallmark of Liam’s influences.

Want Some Pounds follows with a steppy, head-nodding rhythm, its off-kilter cowbell and murky low end underscoring JP’s knack for weaving trippy, unpredictable elements into his tracks. Despite the raw aesthetic, there’s a surprising cleanliness to the percussion—a balance many producers struggle to strike.

The standout, Big Dosh, is a masterclass in nostalgia. Liam’s homage to classic Chicago House is so authentic it could’ve been ripped straight from a ’90s warehouse set, with lush, melodic chords evoking the spirit of legends like Boo Williams.

Closing out the EP, Killa Pound stays true to the release’s acid-washed blueprint, delivering a peak-time weapon with crunching snares and alarm-like stabs—arguably the most floor-shaking cut of the bunch.

All in all, Gimme My Money is a tightly crafted, four-track assault of raw 4/4 energy. Liam Baker, under his Jacky Pound alias, proves his deft handling of hardware, delivering a debut that’s as mature as it is incendiary—guaranteed to move both bodies and minds.