Paul Woolford At Juno Download

Review: Paul Woolford has been enjoying something of a renaissance of late, thanks to last year's collaboration with Psycatron for Hotflush and his Special Request project which has rightly gained many internet column inches thanks to it's rough and ready junglist spirit. Now he joins the likes of xxxy and Chrissy Murderbot on Halocyan with this superb EP. Placing a breakbeat rhythm over the top of some ominously swelling bass, "Pursuit" is reminiscent of the "Lolita" track he released as Special Request, with a leaner, brighter feel, while "Crank Call" displays the same rhythmic mastery, but with some distinctly electro tendencies, as layers rippling synths are placed under restless hi-hats and hammering offbeat snares. Digital only track "5meo" rounds things off on an upbeat note, as driving Detroit bass and tumbling melodies are driven forward on forceful rush of kicks and dry snares.

Review: In a year where Hotflush have come out with some big releases this is a notable twelve still, pairing the legendary Paul Woolford with the equally big name in the techno game duo Psycatron! The trio have worked together before, having released on Vath's Cocoon last year which makes their arrival on Paul Rose's label all the more illuminating. In "Stolen" they deliver a potent nine minute excursion through techno that rises and dips in all the right places, building a head of steam over snarling bass before the arrival of some well placed vocals signals the onset into what you think is the main thrust. The subsequent explosion of gnarly acid should prove devastating in the correct environment. Check out the more percussively inclined Dub version which is no less potent.