The first of Nick Lapien's two simultaneously released EPs for DVS1's Mistress imprint features four tracks of chocolate-rich, late night house liberally spiced with sultry female vocal samples that, in places, take it to depths approaching that of a Johannesburg gold mine. This is genuine mood music; smooth, voluptuous and, depending on who you're listening to it with (and where) artfully seductive too. Don't forget to pick up "Mistress 08"'s companion piece when you buy this: it spins its web of intrigue with a different grade of silk but it'll just as surely ensnare you. Nic Brown