Review: Following releases on Central Processing Unit, Hypercolour, and his recent LP on Local Action, Evan Majumdar-Swift aka 96 Back returns with a new one this week - adding a release on Will Saul's Aus Music to his expanding discography. For his label debut, the Manchester by-way-of SheffieldDJ/producer presents four high quality productions on the Crass EP. From the off-kilter post-dubstep influence of the title track and the wonky UK flavour of "Syrup", to further futuristic bass explorations in the form of "Tab Play" and the evocative closer "Hoss I"t which ends on a more playful note - 96 Back embodies the renegade spirit of his native Steel City.
Review: Next up, we have a seriously cool collection of treats as the legendary Local Action pull together some of their biggest creations over the last decade to celebrate '10 Years Of Local Action'. Right from the jump, this is a collection littered with top quality artists, including the likes of Finn, Mosca, Terri Walker, T.Williams, DJQ, Slack & many many more. Actually having the opportunity to dive into the Local Action catalogue with all of its many years condensed into one release really does highlight just how creative they have been able to be over the years. We would definitely recommend checking out I. JORDAN 's 'For You' as part of your own personal dive, alongside the gorgeous summer pulses of LOFT's 'Wish It Would Rain' and the outstanding soundscaping work of E.M.M.A's 'Into Indigo' whilst you're at it!
Review: Evan Majunder-Swift's rise as 96 Back shows no signs of stopping. Having recently collaborated with Paul Woolford AKA Special Request, he has now signed to Local Action and will deliver a trio of releases over the course of 2021. The first of those, 9696 Dream, is predictably impressive, with the Sheffield-born artist delivering a non-stop, mixed mini-album rich in atmospheric analogue sounds, spacey electronics, intergalactic ambient soundscapes and grooves that variously doff a cap to classic IDM, late '80s Larry Heard style deep house, skittish electro and the more saucer-eyed end of ambient techno. It's a hugely attractive and enjoyable set all told, with exceptional sound thanks to a bang-up mastering job from Bleep techno pioneer (and Warp Records co-founder) Rob Gordon. In a word: essential.
Review: Over the years, the Local Action team have gained quite the reputation for delivering unorthodox yet incredibly popular releases, which is why we were so keen to dive into this bubbling four tracker from 96 Back. We begin with 'Half A Reach', a glitchy expanse of colourful keyboard riffs and crunchy drum licks, all swimming beneath a computerized soundscape. Next, we go down an even more unusual road as the slow drum march of 'Waif' gives birth to a chorus of glitchy melodic hops, before 'Hot Tip' goes retro on us with a choppy rhythmic switch up. Finally, the blissful synth sweeps and charming melodic influxes of 'Inclination Fresh' gives this one a delicate final touch.
Review: Spawning the 96 Back project with a surge of EPs for Central Processing Unit, Evan Majumdar-Swift's emerging talents make the leap to Hypercolour! Keeping hope alive with cuts like "Fe Symbolic" and "Party Animal" - going great lengths in perpetuating the legacy of Aphex Twin, Warp and other bleep-era sounds - the EP also touches on elements of deeper dubstep and minimalism in "Cosied By" to other melodic club tracks in "TBQFH". It sees the 96-name added to a fresh cast of labelmates including HVL, Gary Gritness, Asquith and Carlton Doom. Believe the Hypercolour!
We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you've provided to them or that they've collected from your use of their services.