Review: Despite begin one of the leading lights in modern electro and putting put material on CPU and Raar, Eczo is Maelstrom aka Joan-Mael Peneau's debut release for Cultivated Electronics. As befits such an individualistic artist, it's a diverse affair: there's the wiry, high-speed electro funk of "Smoker", while on the title track, Peneau drops the tempo and opts for a more atmospheric arrangement. The approach changes radically again on the Sync 24 remix of "Smoker", with the label owner dropping a high tempo, electro funk version, led by sparse drums and a frenetic, stepping rhythm. Closing out the release is the swampy "Confidential", where Maelstrom uses a dense rhythm and a detuned bass to devastating effect.
Review: Joan-Mael Péneau aka Maelstrom is best known for his releases on Hacker's Zone imprint, but it was only a matter of time before his work appeared on CPU. This mini-album veers in style from the melodic, reflective title track to the frenetic, dense drums and high pitched bleeps of "Letter From M". On "Lost Echoes", he recruits the like-minded Djedjotronic for a slowed down ride through contemporary electro, while on "Vznietit", the French producer combines layers of heavy acid with a pumping, dark bass. With a nod to CPU's own love of the bleep techno and Autechre electronics from its Sheffield hometown, Maelstrom rounds off this impressive EP with "Dialectics" and "Praxis" respectively.
Review: A very strong release from Sound Pellegrino, as French producer Maelstrom follows up big tunes for Dirtybird and Boys Noize Records with this trio of electro-bass gold. "USSR" is a deliciously warped mix of huge industrial kicks matched with shifting acapella shots and some charging synth work, while "House Music" ups the bpms a little and rocks a minimal booty bass beat and hazy Detroit stabs. Staying on a Miami tip, "Pool Chicks" recalls recent tunes from Mele and Canblaster with a delirious set of arpeggiated leads married to a thick minimal bassline and kicks.
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