Review: For their fourth transmission, Happy Skull presents a trio of dystopian fantasies from analogue maverick Marco Bernardi. Opener 'Floating' is a throbbing trip in to rattling techno territory complete with discordant chords and bubbling acid lines. 'Broken Boiler' offers a trademark Bernardi fusion of sweet, visceral melodies and raw machine drums. Rounding things off is 'upside In', a fearlessly wonky voyage in to freaky techno-funk.
Review: Last seen dropping the humongous Klinsfrar Melodies on Creme Org back in 2010, Glaswegian producer Marco Bernardi makes a triumphant return on Clone's Royal Oak initiative with The Burning Love Ensemble, a 12" replete with three potent examples of drenching simple, raw drum machine rhythms with endless layers of emotional melodies. The contemplatively titled "Days Gone By" infers what is to unfold as the track's ruff edged drum groove is driven ever backwards in the mix by layer upon layer of intricate sonic detail which is finely poised at the point of full meltdown. The title track seems like a more streamlined affair initially, all melodic elements aimed squarely for the stars before Bernardi lets loose with a thick square analogue bass tone and the drums start to go mental. Finally, "La Montagne De Reves" delves swiftly into immersive dream like territory, dragging you down willingly!
The Dancing Clowns (Specter remix) - (9:05) 120 BPM
Review: Marco Bernardi is a man of many talents and here he shifts the focus of his recent Mathematics release towards deeper sounds. The title track is an epic, teased out affair, with the Scottish producer laying down tantalising melodies over a pulsing groove. The remix is just as impressive; the label has secured the services of Chicago artist Specter, who doesn't disappoint. Pushing Bernardi's groove away from the dance floor, flailing percussive licks and tonal bleeps turn the original into an abstract but hypnotic workout that is in keeping with Bernardi's own ever-changing sonic swings.
Review: Oh my, it's number six in the Patterns series for London's Hypercolour! The previous compilations have all been absolute gold, blending house and bass-heavy clusterbombs like there's no tomorrow, so we're pretty psyched about this latest affair. There's plenty of exciting from all over the sphere on this one, namely some new appearances from Analogue Cop Lucretio and his lovely and soulful "Do It Forever" track; an absolutely cracking house-electro hybrid by Marco Bernardi in the form of "Japanese Firecracker", and a whole load of other bangers by the likes of West Norwood Cassette Library, Canada's Kevin McPhee, Luke Vibert and even Smallville's Christopher Rau! Essential comp vibes!
Various - "DJ-Kicks" (Continous mix) - (49:34) 133 BPM
Review: When they were asked to put together the latest volume in the "DJ Kicks" series, Mount Kimbie boys Dominic Maker and Kai Campos drew influence from a recent six-date run supporting Actress. As a result, the 22 tracks they have chosen - here presented in DJ friendly, unmixed form - tend towards the experimental and off-kilter, touching on a myriad of styles (ambient, industrial-era experimentalism, South American influenced tropical drum jams, spacey modular techno, raw-edged peak-time jams, mind-altering acid weirdness and intergalactic electro all feature) in the process. Highlights are naturally plentiful, from the hypnotic dancefloor intensity of Stanislav Tolkachev and bleeping body-jack of A Sagittariun, to the skewed warmth of Severed Heads and the dream-like weirdness of their own exclusive contribution, "Southgate".
