Recording as Recloose, Matt Chicoine is the Detroit,MI producer whose notable EPs for Carl Craig's Planet E label explore upbeat, sample-based trip-hop instead of the synth-based techno often heard in the Motor City. Unsure of his career direction after graduating with a degree in English from the University of Michigan in nearby Ann Arbor, Chicoine -- previously a resident mixer known as DJ Bubblicious -- began exploring electronic recording as well. According to Detroit legend, while working in a take-out joint, he slipped one of his tapes into an order from techno don Carl Craig, and Craig signed him to Planet E.
Recloose’s musical roots trace back to eight years of studying music and playing jazz saxophone, later shifting his focus to the art of mixing, cutting and dicing vinyl whilst at college in Ann Arbor, Michigan. His eclec
tic DJ sets, which were first heard on college radio, have led Recloose to become an in-demand DJ, playing at clubs and festivals around the world.
Having spent time performing as a turntablist for both Carl Craig’s Innerzone Orchestra, and the more esoteric Uri Caine Ensemble, Recloose’s musical activities have always been remarkably diverse. This sonic liberalism, and ensuing trans-global travel, have provided Recloose with an impeccable musical palette to work from.
Since the fateful meeting with Carl Craig, Recloose has developed into a true standout of Detroit’s musical litter. The past 7 years have seen a number of groundbreaking 12’s released, a mix CD for Belgian label Eskimo, and a host of remixes for the likes of Herbert, Tei Towa, MJ Cole and Clara Hill. Recloose, consistently gathering musical momentum, released his debut album ‘Cardiology’‚ on Planet E / !K7 in 2002, to large critical acclaim. On a trip to Wellington, New Zealand in 2000, where he performed as part of the city’s international jazz festival, Recloose fell in love with the people, and country itself, and following the release of Cardiology, embarked on the lengthy process of relocating himself and studio to the Kapiti Coast.
Currently Recloose resides in the beach town of Titahi Bay, New Zealand. The burgeoning musical scene of nearby Wellington has offered fresh inspiration to a mind already brimming with talent. Summer 2005 saw the release of Recloose's second album and debut on Peacefrog, ‘Hiatus On The Horizon’, an album that encompasses live instrumentation, soul-fuelled vocals, and featuring many of Wellington’s established and rising musicians. It stands as an unlikely musical fusion of the sounds of the South Pacific and the not so distant memories of the Motor City, and captured the imaginations of many a listener with floor stompers like ‘Dust’, featuring Fat Freddy’s Drop vocalist Joe Dukie.
Following this release Recloose has spent much of his time fine-tuning and performing at high profile gigs around New Zealand (including several national TV appearances) with a full-live band featuring some of Aotearoa’s premier musicians. Between gigs Recloose is hard at work in the studio concocting a new EP for 'Peacefrog', further building on the potent musical collaborations started on ‘Hiatus On The Horizon’.His first EP, 1998's So This Is the Dining Room, earned great reviews around Detroit. In 1999, just after recording the Spelunking EP, Chicoine helped fill out Craig's Innerzone Orchestra for live performances around the globe. Though his releases had been primarily home-listening experiences, he also DJ'ed and performed at several far-flung spots. In anticipation of a Recloose full-length, he released the "Can't Take It" single in early 2000. The album was held up for almost two more years, with only the Jigsaw Music mix disc and a few random remixes to hold fans over. Finally Cardiology came out on Planet E in 2002, and it was followed by 2005's Hiatus on the Horizon (released on Peacefrog)..
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