Martin Landsky At Juno Download

Review: Despite its perception as a minimal label, Poker Flat has always pushed Chicago-influenced elements, so the 'back' part of the release's title is a little misleading. More importantly though is the artists' ability to mould their own take on this timeless sound. Steve Bug does this by using a stuttering 'j-j-j-j-jack' vocal sample and tougher than usual beats on the title track, while on "V2U" Martin Landsky dispenses with the ominous sound of "1000 Miles" in favour of a more understated but equally menacing bass, fused with rasping percussion. Best of all though is Cle's "Reaching Out", which combines a "Washing Machine"-style churning bassline with eerie synth lines.

Review: Landsky was one of the first German artists to dabble with deep house and here he shows his mastery of the form. "ET2" is built on dubby drums and a rolling rhythm, and the mixture of shimmering chords and a seductive female vocal nestle seamlessly into this arrangement. "ET1" is more restrained; the beats are slinky and metallic, the claps reverberate subtly, but the chords still carry with them an icy edge. On "Let it Snow", Landsky reverts to his electro house past; the bass is pulsing and noisy and the grinding analogue riffs sound like a herd of monkeys crush in a metal skip.