Review: Straight up electro mainstay 214 returns to Klakson with Around The Bend, an EP that's no doubt looking to the future of post lockdown. Tailored by an upbringing on Frustrated Funk and ties to labels like Shipwrec, Lunar Disko, Central Processing Unit and 20:20 Vision, 214's Klakson cuts have always been classic. Keeping it super beat-centric and percussive on the drums the whole EP-through, get your overt Drexciyan motifs outta the lead cut with acid trips of splendour to be had in "Mosquito Bay". Grubbier sessions with subtle LFO aka Warp-style synths on loop make the cut in "Perfect Circuit" next to some edgy riffs and hardcore basslines in "Take Away". Quality.
Review: With releases on labels like CPU, Frustrated Funk and Lunar Disko in his catalogue, it was only a matter of time before 214 aka Chris Roman put out a full EP for Cultivated Electronics. This four-tracker is a no-nonsense, dance-floor primed electro release. On "Linoleum and Cardboard", Roman lays down steely 808s and a stark rhythm, while "It Never Really Ends" sees him add some warbling acid to this approach. "Earthwroms" ups the pace and intensity levels, with shrieking riffs unravelling over a peak-time groove that calls to mind Rotters Golf Club. Rounding off 214's first full release on the reverend UK label is the sci-fi funk of "Nocturnal Hikes".
Review: Chris Roman aka 214 continues his long association with Frustrated Funk thanks to this fine serving of outer space electro. "Growing Old Together" resounds to a resonating, acid-heavy bass and ghostly synths, with 214 moving towards the space occupied by ERP. "Last Dance" is denser, with Roman delivering a murky rhythm that resounds to dark tones and moody textures. Changing tact once again, "Dislocated" puts a focus on bleak, high-paced rhythms and moody bass tones, while on "Voice Check", he reverts to the atmospheric sound of "Growing Old Together", this time with a more reflective approach.
Review: As far as compilations go, this first edition of the newly created 'From The Dark' release series from Cultivated Electronics is definitely up there, showcasing some of the freshest sounds in modern bass music. This eight track selection delves into the darker, swampier side of bass production, including belters from the likes of Exterminador, Sync 24, Delta Funktionen, Alienata and more. Our immediate standouts from this one however have to be 214's glitchy expedition into arpeggiated madness in 'Rock Scramble', along with Versalife's moogy roller 'Infinite Velocities' and the spooky chops of 'GmBHZolhoff' from Stratowerx.
Review: Fresh from mixing the latest instalment of Fabric's mix series, Panorama Bar resident Steffi launches a new sub-label, Dolly Deluxe. Many of the tracks that feature on Fabric 94 also appear across the first four EPs on this offshoot. The second Dollydeluxe release boasts an atmospheric feeling, but with a dance floor bias. This is evident on Answer Code Request's stirring break beat opener, "Forking Path" and Voiski's brooding acid stepper, "Sound of Distance". Dexter, one of Steffi's closest peers, opts for a stern, steely electro approach on "66", while 214, fresh from his release on Lunar Disko, moves back towards ethereal sounds with the widescreen synths and ERP-style bass of "Sound Moments".
Review: Ireland's Lunar Disko is back in the game with another one of their immensely entertaining collaborative EPs, and this one is featuring a selection of artists whom we feel particularly fond of. For starters, our man man John Heckle is in the place repping the UK-side of techno, leading the lines with the wonky, off-kilter electro-acid cut named "Steel Sky", while label regular Conan comes through with an insanely lo-fi techno cut called "Neptune Racing" that feels like it was made in the basement of a sweaty Chicago studio circa 1989. 214, who is another familiar face, drops an aerial attack in the form of a paranoid, brooding artillery of glitchy electro by the name of "Deep Ellum", whereas VC-118A's relatively more placid "Face The Waves" delves into a much deeper and floaty downtempo mode for the early, early sets...
Review: Frustrated Funk, Shopwrec and Central Processing Unit are just some of the quality labels on which the enigmatic 214 has delivered his wayward strains of electro and techno on. This new single for Lunar Disko is straight-up, high calibre business, as per usual, starting with the mesmerising pads and alluring soundscapes of "The Breakfast Club", a beat-driven escapade through a wave of majestic synths. "Lunar Landing" is more on the Dutch electro side of things, thanks to its sub-aquatic beats and general demeanour while , "Jade" injects some Chicago house live through an industrial filter, and "Hurley" liquifies its synths down to a thick pool of sonics and subtle beats. Gorgeous music.
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