It’s well-documented, almost to the point of redundancy, how Oneman has built his reputation as a DJ and selector organically. Though despite having never dabbled in production, the Standard Place ringleader and Rinse FM veteran has managed to carve out a comfortable niche for himself. His sets are renowned for throwing up surprising little sonic fusions that you just know are Original Oneman Fire, which brings us nicely onto his latest project. Oneman dropped “Solitaire Vol. 1” at the end of January – his first in what will be a series of independent mixtapes. On paper there’s nothing particularly jaw-dropping about the tracklist but unlike his rather limp Fabriclive contribution, it’s a whole other story when you let it play out. He kicks off by layering a Bone Thugs-n-Harmony a capella over Fatima Al Qadiri’s steel drum-laden “Hydra” – the combination has serious bite and sets the pace for the remaining eighty minutes.

Stream: Oneman – Solitaire Vol. 1

True to his signature style he seamlessly blends grime, 4/4 house and woozy rap joints without ever compromising the vibes.  Peverelist & Kowton’s “Raw Code” and L-Vis’ “Ballad 4D” –  both serious dancefloor weapons and alike in their sinister percussion-led grooves– sit astride the summery dancehall-lite of the “Diplo Rhythm“. Elsewhere, Machinedrum’s infectious “Van Vogue” rubs shoulders with Katie Got Bandz’s “Hittaz Only“. An additional personal touch is delivered by way of the Oneman edit, which are peppered throughout the mixtape. Whilst the TNGHT x B.O.B. track (christened “Still Bugg’n this Bitch“) has gone a bit stale since it was unveiled last year, there are rather inspired bootlegs of Flocka’s “Hand in the Paint” and Ginuwine’s “Pony“. After a relatively quiet few months for the 502 Recordings boss “Solitaire Vol. 1” proves that Oneman is back on his A-game, and has everyone at the Truants Mansion excited for the next instalment.

Oneman’s Solitaire Vol. 1 is available now.