Lookin' Back, Thinkin' Forward / Live Forever

Urbantorque’s emphasis has always been on blooding and supporting fresh and distinct new production talent and Belfast’s Ric McClelland aka Scope is certainly a case in point. His debut release Strung Out/Last Call warmed the hearts and thawed the feet of many last winter and received support from a diverse and discerning bunch including Sander Kleinenberg, Clive Henry, Desyn Masiello and Jimpster. Now comes the follow-up Lookin’ Back, Thinkin’ Forward/Live Forever, two killer tracks that competently deliver both melodic grace and dancefloor drive and are sure to compel yet more hearts and feet.

Lookin’ Back, Thinkin’ Forward is an outstanding piece of trippy, catchy-as funky minimal-tech-house, or as Demi (SOS) tells us “a brilliant up-tempo funk monster!” Its plucky melody enthrals and combines to devastating effect with bouncing groove, while strings and chords add atmosphere and mood. Sounding very now, as the title suggests, the track also bears something of yesteryear, and its combination of sounds will, like its predecessor, appeal to a wide spectrum of DJs and ravers.

Second track Live Forever brings warm, lush chords over dynamic rolling bass. The result is a tune as uplifting and feel-good as it is brisk and driving. Energetically deep, it’s sure to bring life and cheer wherever it’s played.

Ric McClelland claims that he’s not intending to break any new ground with his music but simply wants to make quality sounds for the club. This may be so, but what he is doing consummately is fusing different electronic genres and both new and old sounds to create tracks with minimum fuss and maximum dancefloor impact. His tracks are emotive and hard-hitting, intelligent and upfront. Lookin’ Back, Thinkin’ Forward and Live Forever are proof that Scope is rapidly becoming a more than proficient producer and one who certainly knows how to rock a club.

Steve Mill (Urbantorque) - "Scope is on of my favourite out there and he proves once again WHY .. the new EP is so beautiful..its out the right time ..Summer !!! Well done again"
Chris Mecali - "Great release.. loved strung out, and lbtf is the same zone. Def the cut I like on this release and a definite play. 8/10"
Danny Graham - "Both tracks are quality and I intend to play 'Live Forever' at Piekarnia in Poland this weekend"
Strakes (Kahua Music) - "Really like Ric's sound, as with past EPs it's deep thoughtful pad drenched house, ideal for heating things up of for the occasional bar gig. Lookin Back, Thining Forward is my pick of the two"
Matt Masters (Freerange) - "Really feeling Live forever on here… 8/10.."
Tom Golden (Stylus) - "Cheers for all the tracks your firing over, just had a quick listen to the new Scope one, sounding nice and deeeeeep as deeeep can go! Will give it an airing on Saturday at Stylus"
Osamu M - "cool!! really like his bottom heavy sound:)"
Glenn Morrison - "'Looking Back Thinking Forward' is the one for me. Great groove, smooth rolling bline, nice and pumpy. Tell Ric I send my regards and to keep up the great work"
Jamie McHugh - "Wicked stuff - full support from me, thanks for sending :-)"
Les Croasdaile (Stylus) - "Already been caining 'looking back' from the sampler, Scope can do no wrong"
Harry Peat - "Absolutely loved the A side from your Miami sampler... other track is fab too! In fact even more up my street. Great stuff"
Neil Nascent - "Scope is proper on it at the moment , thanks for letting us use on our latest Zouk CD "
Fred Numf - "'Lookin' Back, Thinkin' Forward' is theone for me. Excellent funky sound and main floor feel. In my set"
Slok - "COOL! I'm listening now...will support! Ciao See you on the beach!"
Sean Miller - looking back thinking forward is slick!
Pako & Frederick - "Like both tracks by Scope (1 track I was playing already)"
DJ Kristoff (Elektrotherapy) - "Another stompa from the Urbantorque camp. Live Forever is the pick for me. Nice warm summery warm vibe on this one!! Great stuff"
Jamie Pollock - "HOT or what!! As im sure your aware im loving Rics stuff, ever since the first ep i think ive played pretty much every track and remix hes done. And this ep is no exception. Ive been playing "Lookin Back, Thinkin Forward" in every set since the sampler. And "Live Forever" is some seriously good shit and will now be in the same lines of every set. Perfect music from without doubt my favourite producer of the moment!!"
Matthew Hiscock (Bodega) - "Really liking this release, especially the big-ass kick on Lookin' Back, Thinking Forward"
Mike Hiratzka - "'Lookin' Back' has been in my bag since the WMC sampler was sent out, it's been in constant rotation, glad to see it's getting a full release! 'Live Forever' is a nice summer jam, I'll be adding it to the bag as well... : )"
Matt Rowan - "Live Forever is fucking lush! Very cool tune. Will definitely play and support"
Francesco Pico - "Great one, love it both tracks, will chart!!!"
Chris Gaines - "Nice tracks once again, Lookin' Back, Thinkin' is excellent whilst the other cut delivers pure UT stylee...."
Brent Beaudette - ""Live Forever" rocks. I am a huge Scope fan right now. All of their tracks have been fixtures in my bag over the past few months. For those that missed "Lookin' Back, Thinkin' Forward" on the Miami Sampler, this is not one to overlook"
Amin Golestan (Dubai) - "Loving the Scope - Lookin' Back, Thinkin' Forward, Amazing track. Played it this weekend ;)"
DJ Hypno - "indeed sir, a mighty fine promo there - wicked stuff - doing alot of damage with Live Forever, absolutley love the vibe on that as u can imagine - right up my street "
James Talk - "Looking back thinking forward is nice, good middle set melodic house"
Milton Jackson - "Ric coming up with more niceness here, fantabulous tracks, big production and nice compresso-matic bottom end. Both tracks up my street"
Aldrin (Zouk) - "What can I say... already in my mix cd compilation THINKINGOUTLOUDASA pres Zouk! ;)"
Tyler Stadius - "Absolutely love these two! Superb tunes!"
Nacho Marco (Freerange) 5/5