September 2019 Chart

Everything Changed - 214 (Frustrated Funk)

I’m lapping up much of what both artist and label in question put out at the moment, all the better if transparent green vinyl plays a part. I realize this makes me sound superficial but who cares. This is a varied four tracker which does poignancy and aggression without batting an eyelid, giving a microcosmic glimpse of 214’s range in the process. ‘Voice Check’ is my personal pick.

 Tears/D.U.N.E. – S.O.N.S PRESENTS SYO (Nuagon Infinite Oceans)

I thought the last S.O.N.S. release was, to quote Alan Watts, “all retch and no vomit”. There’s a bit of that on ‘DUNE’, which threatens to take off but doesn’t quite make it. It’s all about dynamics I suppose. Play it loud enough and it’ll envelop any room. ‘Tears’ has more momentum and energy, and adds contrast. Both tracks fall into the “burgeoning trance” 

category and have an appropriate synthetic edge.

 The Dead Bears – Newworldaquarium (Delsin)

A triple purple vinyl rerelease of a record which first appeared back in 2007. I don’t have the original, which is seven tracks long. This recut, remastered version has eleven and is an understated masterpiece. Every composition has a part to play and contributes to a collection which is much more than the sum of its parts. Any more clichés necessary? I think not.

 Alienplatz EP - Life Sciences Division (Salt Mines)

This was released back in spring this year and immediately grabbed my attention by being bouncy as hell and funky beyond measure. There’s a breeziness to most of what goes on here, tempered with a sharp edged machine funk sensibility which straddles trance and deep house in a dawn of time netherworld. ‘Belvedere’ is more bass-conscious and takes the groove biscuit for me.

 Parallax EP – Opal Sunn (Touch From A Distance)

Almost a year old, this release on Nick Hoppner’s label would complement the Salt Mines release very well in a set. Think glossy pill music, glistening, shiny MDMA, all clean lines and depth without end. There’s a tranced out aesthetic at play here, which is 2019 speak because it’s about that time innit? Great release, of which ‘Aura’ is the track I prioritise.

 Heavy Glow EP – Andu Simion (Palinoia)

From early last year on Eric Cloutier’s label, I came across this a few months back, mainly because I heard ‘Gen Y All’ on mixes by John Osborn and Solas and this track, with it’s insistent but patient bass, was a highlight. The other three tunes are ace as well, and showcase a lightness of touch, as well as a groove comprehension steeped in dissonance.

 Enter The System EP – ES Q (Dolly)

One of my favourite labels which comes correct with four bassy, acidic wormholes. It’s also another one which has been around for a while, since early spring this year, but while having known of its existence all this time, I’d never bought it. Four percussive, driving tunes are what you get for your hard-earned sponds, with ‘Wintage Gear’ being my fave.

 Cobby & His Animals - Patrick Conway (Fusion Diagnostics)

Just found this in my mailbox the other week, after having been alerted to its existence by Patrick Conway, aka Hypercolour’s Jamie Russell. This is more varied than the ESP release, (which is reviewed here), and features two remixes, but it’s the originals I prefer, and the title track in particular, which is a relaxed piece of idm – inspired slow-motion cosmic techno, ideal for watching silent loops of the Nostromo gliding through space to.

 Chemistry Radio - Chevron (Shipwrec)

I normally avoid tracks with certain words in their titles, but ‘Aqua Bitch’ is a drunken, acidic, electro gem. ‘Dave Smith Dropped A Mitsi’ (didn’t we all?), also deserves a mention for obvious reasons, but it’s a different proposition, with its break beats sounding almost whimsical with their elastic backing. There is a range of moods and approaches here of which acid is the dominant motif, and which coalesce to produce a rave cross-section. Sort of an aural document which I would listen to much more at home, smoking a pipe and enjoying a small bottle of Lucozade, than out.

Eraser - DJ Richard (Flexxseal)

Introduced to the world through his once imperious White Material label, DJ Richard now makes himself heard in small doses on other imprints. Predominantly Dial over the last couple of years, and now on Christopher Joseph’s Flexxseal. ‘Eraser’ is an uncompromising, industrially-tinged listen, whose tunes each feel like dense dramatic undertakings, unctuous and frictional, eking out postmodern maximized muscular monograms of mood and melody.