VICK LAVENDER, JUSTIN DILLARD — The Black Is The Night

Vick Lavender & Justin Dillard – The Black Is The Night Forbidden Dance, FD-013, 12-inch vinyl, arrives as the label’s thirteenth offering and marks a return to the city where the imprint first took shape – Chicago. The EP blends the rhythmic language of Chicago house with the richer textures of jazz, soul and live instrumentation, delivering three downtempo cuts that retain a steady pulse while opening up space for organic expression. Within the Forbidden Dance catalogue, The Black Is The Night follows Stefano Nardon’s “Mangrovia / Underwater” (FD-012, 2026) and Zopelar’s “Primal Vision EP” (FD-011, 2025), continuing the label’s focus on forward-thinking house that leans into melodic depth. Earlier releases such as Innervibe’s “Memory Playground EP” (FD-009, 2024) and Laseech & Desney Bailey’s “Hey Love” (FD-007, 2023) have established a pattern of pairing club-ready grooves with emotive arrangements, a tradition that Lavender and Dillard extend here. Side A opens with “A Peaceful World”. The track’s title suggests a tranquil atmosphere, and the music lives up to that promise through a measured tempo that still drives forward. Warm keys and live instrumentation weave a gentle, yet insistent groove, making it suitable for early-set moments where a DJ wants to ease the crowd into deeper territory without losing momentum. The second cut on side A, “Grey”, continues the contemplative mood. It sits comfortably after “A Peaceful World”, offering a slightly more introspective vibe while maintaining the same relaxed pulse. The arrangement’s subtle shifts keep the flow interesting, providing a smooth transition for sets that move from mellow to more rhythmic sections. Side B’s “A Summers Night Tale” concludes the EP with a slightly expanded palette. The title evokes a narrative quality, and the track delivers a lingering, soulful arrangement that builds on the warm keys and loose percussion introduced earlier. Its structure allows DJs to either close a set on a reflective note or to pivot toward a deeper groove as the night progresses. For Lavender, the record arrives after a prolific 2026 output that includes “New Horizons” on Yore (later), “Soul Travel (Day & Night, Night & Day)” on Cataleya Music (earlier) and several Essential Traxx compilations on Daybreakers. Those releases have cemented a reputation for organic house productions, and The Black Is The Night reinforces that aesthetic through its live-instrument focus. Dillard’s recent work on the “BEYOND” series for Mister Bear (earlier) showcases his skill in crafting expansive, instrumentally rich electronic music, a sensibility that is evident in this collaboration. In the current underground scene, where the line between club-oriented house and more melodic, downtempo explorations continues to blur, this EP offers a compelling hybrid. Its deep, soulful arrangements provide a bridge between dancefloor functionality and listening-room depth, positioning it as a relevant statement from two artists who have long navigated both realms. From a DJ’s perspective, the three tracks are valuable for set builders seeking a nuanced shift in energy. “A Peaceful World” works well as an intro or early-mid set layer, “Grey” serves as a connective piece that sustains mood while adding subtle variation, and “A Summers Night Tale” can close a set with emotional resonance or act as a springboard into more driving selections. Collectors will appreciate the collaboration between two Chicago-rooted musicians whose combined histories bring a distinctive, live-instrument feel to the vinyl format. The Black Is The Night is presented as a 12-inch vinyl release, matching the format of the label’s recent output and offering the tactile experience that complements its warm, organic sound. Vick Lavender & Justin Dillard – The Black Is The Night, Forbidden Dance, FD-013, 12-inch vinyl, three tracks. Tracklist: A1. Vick Lavender & Justin Dillard – A Peaceful World A2. Vick Lavender & Justin Dillard – Grey B1. Vick Lavender & Justin Dillard – A Summers Night Tale