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ESP Institute
Browse the latest digital releases on ESP Institute
Played by: Juno Recommends Experimental
Review: Having kick started his career internationally through the likes of Blood Music, Boys Noize Records and a now faded electro scene, Hoshina Anniversary has ebbed his way into the catalogues of DJ Lyster's Youth label, London's Alien Jams and ESP Institute. Jomon presents the artist with a sixth album and third release for Love Fingers' label, and it presents a unique blend of downbeat electronics and industrial jazz to acid techno tracks, harder edged breakbeats and avant pop that all feature Hoshina Anniversary's inherent exotic touch. And for something straight out of the blocks we recommend the house groove and playful hauntolgies of "Rokumeikan".
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ESP 099
14 May 21
Deep House
14 May 21
Deep House
Played by: Juno Recommends Techno
Review: 'Skylark' was undoubtedly one of the shimmering highlights on Lord of the Isles' rather good 2016 album, In Waves, so it's great to see it return to stores in re-mastered and remixed form. This time round, the superb original - a spacey and emotive affair that sees the Scottish artist wrap a kick-heavy drum machine beat in star-fall synthesizer motifs and elongated early morning chords - comes accompanied by some fresh remixes. His old pal Linkwood steals the show with an epic, ultra-deep version that sounds like ambient techno fused with broken beat, while Tourist Kid provides a similarly impressive experimental ambient take. Bonus cut 'OmniMulti', a house tempo exercise in melancholic Motor City futurism, is also rather good.
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ESP 039B
05 Feb 21
Techno
05 Feb 21
Techno
Review: Having broken cover last March to release an album of wonderfully eccentric electronica on Alien Jams, Hoshina Anniversary returns to ESP Institute for the first time since the tail end of 2019. The Japanese producer is once again in cosmic and otherworldly - but nevertheless dancefloor-friendly form, prioritising undulating acid bass, bongo-rich drums, jazz-funk style electric piano solos and alien-sounding chords on mid-tempo opener 'Karakuri'. He brilliantly pitches down the tempo on accompanying track 'Michinoku', quirkily underpinning a clicking, lo-fi drum track with minor key piano riffs and creepy-but spacey chords on 'Michinoku'.
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ESP 098
08 Jan 21
Deep House
08 Jan 21
Deep House
Played by: Juno Recommends Techno
Review: Bartellow aka Benedikt Brachtel returns to ESP Institute with remixes of tracks from his 2017 album, Panokorama. First up is Florian Kupfer from L.I.E.S, who turns "Sala Sensei" into a teased out lo-fi jam, with cavernous filters cascading into epic drops. Gilb'r from Versatile also opts for a dubbed out take on the same track, but it has a softer, more shimmering approach as a dub groove chugs away in the background. Given their reputation for making lean, linear club techno, it comes as no surprise that Skudge's take on "Clypp" is an expertly streamlined, tracky affair, but this is a largely out-there remix package, as evidenced by Ground's warbling, sub-aquatic take on "Clypp".
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ESP 046A
19 Apr 19
Techno
19 Apr 19
Techno
Played by: Juno Recommends Techno
Review: It looks like 2019 is going to be Tobar's year. Having dropped his vivid, expansive Continuidad album for ESP Institute, he now returns to the label with more heat. "Recife", which featured on the long player, is presented in 'Bailemix' format, making it a searing, sensuous groove that resounds to steely drums and a searing, low-slung bass. It's a mesmerising, hypnotic track, one that is sure to get played at festivals this summer. On the flip, the Chilean artist drops a new arrangement. "Cuatro Meses De Verano" is a slower, more complex groove, featuring epic, Italo-style synths and the murkiest bass tones this side of Nation's catalogue.
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ESP 060A
12 Apr 19
Techno
12 Apr 19
Techno
Review: Following Eps on well-known underground labels such as Whities, Berceuse Heroique and Diagonal, Daniel Koehler makes his debut on ESP Institute. It's a release of contrasting styles: "Melencolia V" is a cosmic affair led by sensuous strings and shimmering synths that unfolds over an unhurried back beat and is sure to work best at sun-up. "Invidiosa" is a radically different affair: set to a high-paced tempo, its hollowed out drums take the listener down the rabbit hole and back over the course of seven minutes. As always, ESP Institute can be relied on to dig deep and deliver left of centre electronic music.
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ESP 065
05 Apr 19
Techno
05 Apr 19
Techno
Played by: Juno Recommends Techno
Review: Ricardo Tobar takes the listener to electronic music's outer limits on his latest artist album. Like the aesthetic of that other great producer of Chilean origin, Ricardo Villablobos, Continuidad is a sprawling, vivid affair. It moves from the gritty guitar sounds of "Les Vagues" and "Totem" into the jangling percussive rhythm of "Recife", before edging back into abstraction with dirge-like arrangements such as "Purple Sun, Rising" and "Vestigios". Tobar even touches on psychedelic textures on tracks like "First" - whose detuned guitars and tripped out nuances sound like early Pink Floyd getting it on with Spacemen 3 - but eventually makes his way back to the dance floor with the expansive groove of "Birds". Continuidad is a journey in the truest, most cosmic sense.
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ESP 060
08 Mar 19
Techno
08 Mar 19
Techno
Review: Ricardo Tobar follows 2017's Liturgia release on ESP Institute with this diverse EP. The title track is an expansive affair, with swirling electronic sounds unfolding over a rumbling bass and rolling, dusty drums. It's a loose, unhurried track that gradually sucks the listener in as it progresses on its way. By contrast, "La Venida Del Mar" offers up a different side to the Chilean producer's production. There, the rhythm is more buzzing and electronic, with a nagging ebm riff shot through with recycled rave vocals and underpinned by filtered layers of percussion. "Birds" effortlessly represents two different sides to this talented artist's canon.
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ESP 060B
01 Mar 19
Techno
01 Mar 19
Techno
Review: A year on from the woozy, experimental oddness of their simply titled debut EP I, Guido Zen and Joel Martin re-ignite their Vactrol Park production partnership. II sees them exploring similar sonic pastures, offering up moody, atmospheric, analogue-heavy workouts that join the dots between krautrock, drone, ambient, leftfield techno and curiously distorted, dubbed-out experimentation. The hypnotic, slowly unfurling opener "Tired & Feathered" is probably our pick of the bunch, though similarly epic, slo-mo closer "Grottaferato" - a creepy exercise in sparse, dubby electronics and Ket-addled rhythms - is not far behind. "Hump", a trip into the furthest realms of the duo's collective subconscious, is also strangely fulfilling.
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ESP 026B
20 May 16
Techno
20 May 16
Techno
Review: DJ/producer Mr Ho is the co-founder of Klasse Recordings, while Heap is man behind Vienna's Discuss Throwers parties and online store. Together, they've penned this rather fine two-tracker for ESP Institute, whose tongue-in-cheek label copy promises cuts that are neither, "too salty or too sweet". Happily, it's definitely not bland or tasteless, either. "Collision Resistance" is relatively simple in construction, but surprisingly powerful - all muscular analogue bass, thrusting drums and trippy, late night textures. "Veils Of The Beloved" is altogether more loved-up in feel, with dreamy pads, tuneful marimba motives and bubbling electronic bass. The bassline, in particular, is little short of stunning.
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ESP 044
01 Apr 16
Deep House
01 Apr 16
Deep House
Played by: Juno Recommends Techno
Review: Four years after its original release, tracks from Land of Light's eponymous album get a new set of remixes. Fans of Lovefingers' ESP Institute label may recall the orginal remixes, released back in 2012, and this new set are just as essential. Kuniyuki Takahashi's take on the title track sets the tone, with sensuous ambient textures and gently warbling guitars creating an atmospheric mood. Tambien's version is just as esoteric, but slightly more understated, while Seahawks rounds off this latest remix package with his take on "Bell Rock Outpost". Juddery, slow-paced drums and warm, jazzy piano lines create another beautiful piece of music - tailor-made for those sunset moments.
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ESP 009A
25 Mar 16
Techno
25 Mar 16
Techno
Review: ESP Institute has always sought out unusual interpretations of electronic music. This latest offering from Benedikt Frey is no exception, as it sees him push the boundaries in a way that releases for Creme and Mule had only hinted at. "The Lobbyist" is a gnarly, rugged groove, gradually unraveling and full of the kind of intrigue that its title hints at. "Cupid's Delight" is even slower and more deliberate, with breathy soundscapes and twitchy percussive ticks adding to the sense of mystery. The release closes with "Gravel". Again the sense of otherworldliness prevails, with the rhythm at a dead pace and its fractured, disconnected groove sounding like tiny stones rattling around inside a tunnel.
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ESP 028
04 Mar 16
Techno
04 Mar 16
Techno
Review: Having delivered a couple of quietly impressive solo EPs for Keep It Zen and Saft, as well as a highlight of Disco Bloodbath's label as one half of Al Gobi, Ian Blevins pops up on Lovefingers' ESP Institute with a pair of tracks that the LA label claim will "boost your Serotonin levels". Certainly, A-side "Hannibal" is a definite mood enhancer, with bubbling, high-pitched electronic melodies and spacey chords riding a fizzing, Detroit-influenced analogue house groove. Flipside "Welcome Aunt Poly" is an altogether deeper and drowsier affair, with rich, stretched-out pads reclining over a shuffling, cowbell-laden rhythm. It feels like the sort of track that could induce a "moment" when heard at the right time, despite its' relatively simple - if not less delicious - construction.
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ESP 035
19 Feb 16
Techno
19 Feb 16
Techno
Review: According to ESP Institute, Damien Lynch is "a gentleman you've met in a past life". That's certainly true for those who checked his previous productions under the obscure Sarsparilla [sic] and Diamond Dagger aliases. Unlike those, which were inspired by classic electro and Italo-disco, the two tracks that make up this ESP Institute debut are deep, woozy, atmospheric and sensory. First up is "The Heights", where fluttering riffs, horizontal chords and luscious melodic flourishes ride a gradually building - and eventually pulsating - groove. "Safe House" is a more melancholic affair, despite the presence of some particularly bold and heavy percussion, with lilting marimba melodies, undulating arpeggio lines and tear-jerking pads catching the ear.
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ESP 041
29 Jan 16
Deep House
29 Jan 16
Deep House
Review: Given the quality of their respective releases, you'd expect this first collaboration between Moscoman and Red Axes to be rather good. Predictably, it is, with both tracks offering the perfect balance between weary late night atmospherics and intoxicating dancefloor shuffle. Opener "Dikembe Manatu" builds the action around a foreboding bassline and dense African percussion, with metallic melodies and druggy electronics expertly layered atop. Virtual flipside "Rage In The Cage" takes a different approach, with sleazy, late night electronics and throbbing analogue refrains contrasting neatly with the trio's unfussy, cowbell-laden percussion. Both tracks sound primed for dimly lit basement spaces and intimate parties the World over.
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ESP 032
29 Jan 16
Disco/Nu-Disco
29 Jan 16
Disco/Nu-Disco
Played by: Juno Recommends Techno
Review: Having delivered a couple of quietly impressive solo EPs for Keep It Zen and Saft, as well as a highlight of Disco Bloodbath's label as one half of Al Gobi, Ian Blevins pops up on Lovefingers' ESP Institute with a pair of tracks that the LA label claim will "boost your Serotonin levels". Certainly, "Hannibal" is a definite mood enhancer, with bubbling, high-pitched electronic melodies and spacey chords riding a fizzing, Detroit-influenced analogue house groove. "Welcome Aunt Poly" is an altogether deeper and drowsier affair, with rich, stretched-out pads reclining over a shuffling, cowbell-laden rhythm. It feels like the sort of track that could induce a "moment" when heard at the right time, despite its' relatively simple - if not less delicious - construction.
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ESP 034
15 Jan 16
Techno
15 Jan 16
Techno
Review: Japanese newcomer Powder debuted in impressive fashion with the Spray 12" issued through Sling & Samo's Born Free label earlier this year consisting of diverse yet equally trippy dancefloor tools. We were not the only ones impressed, as Andrew Hogge has got his Lovefingers on some fresh Powder produce for the latest ESP Institute release, the five track Highly. Again it's Powder's diversity and her knack for blending the functional with the trippy that really impresses here with opener "Lost Of Light" setting the tone. Glassy textures slip over the taut, minimal groove, with vocal effects drenched in all manner of delay - a most humid and intoxicating production. Tempos vary as the EP progresses, from the slow burning throb of "Manhole" to the cooing house delights of "Humid Wind", yet Powder's qualities remain undimmed throughout. The two briefer cuts that close out the record are quite delightful productions that seem perfectly tailored to opening and ending a mix.
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ESP 029
15 Jan 16
Techno
15 Jan 16
Techno
Review: Lovefingers' ESP Institute delivers more delightfully oddball grooves, this time courtesy of Vactrol Park; a London based duo featuring Kyle Martin and Guido Zen. The latter having previously collaborated in Brain Machine and with Not Waving's Alessio Natalizia. The dark and trippy cosmic vibe of "Stars Quivering Slowly" sets the mood just nicely. "Disturbed By The Possibility Of Someone" is truly nefarious; its slow motion hypnotic groove quite possibly being the best example of what heroin house would sound like. On the flip is more of the same, but "All At One Point" is an epic imaginary soundtrack in which the protagonist rises up triumphantly to the light, returning from his or her near death experience. Epic stuff!
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ESP 026A
15 Jan 16
Techno
15 Jan 16
Techno
Played by: Alvaro Cabana (Rotten City), Juno Recommends Minimal Tech, Richard Rossa, Justin Robertson, Jason Peters
Review: Following a couple of impressive outings on Cosmo Vitelli's I'm A Cliche imprint, well-regarded Israeli producer Moscoman makes his ESP Institute debut. The Tel Aviv native is in fine form, too, delivering a pair of tracks that blend trippy, psychedelic electronics with clear cosmic disco and no wave influences. Opener "Akachi" is arguably the bigger of the two, with swirling effects, tribal chants and bongo-laden percussion peppering a long-slung disco-not-disco groove. "Nobody Else" has a more trippy and trancey feel, with looped, slowly building guitar and synthesizer parts - all drenched in special effects - rising above a hypnotic, drum machine-led groove.
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ESP 031
25 Sep 15
Minimal/Tech House
25 Sep 15
Minimal/Tech House
Review: In recent times, Mark E seems to have been returning to his disco and Balearic roots, albeit whilst retaining the stretched-out deep house vibe with which he's most famous for. It's little surprise, then, to see him blending the sun-ripened goodness of the Mediterranean with his usual attention to groove on this double A-side delight for Lovefingers' formidable ESP Institute imprint. "Laurentian Abyss" is particularly enchanting, with muted steel drums and a touch of accordion offering a focal point for a jaunty, Latin-influenced house groove and dreamy pads. "Emergency" continues the rush-inducing feel of the A, with chiming melodies and starburst chords riding a thickset, synthesizer-heavy deep house rhythm.
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ESP 025
23 Mar 15
Deep House
23 Mar 15
Deep House
Played by: Sabo, Erik Skantze, Dario Piana, Scott K. [BOXmusic], Jad & The, Juno Recommends Disco, Marcus Marr, Pete gooding
Review: The development of Aussie Tornado Wallace from a promising deep house producer to a masterful maker of Balearic beats has been a joy to behold. Since first hooking up with Beats In Space and the similarly inclined ESP Institute last year, he's begun to develop a trademark sound that's warm, humid and musically rich. He's still capable of laying down chunky dancefloor rhythms, though, as the hypnotic new age house bumper "Soft Light" - the flipside of this second outing for Lovefingers' acclaimed imprint - so deftly proves. Really, though, it's when he gets more adventurous - such as on the wonderfully evocative Jonny Nash collaboration "Time of Nectar" and decidedly tropical lead cut "Circadia" - that he really comes into his own. Highly recommended.
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ESP 019
22 Sep 14
Disco/Nu-Disco
22 Sep 14
Disco/Nu-Disco
Played by: Joe Morris
Review: Fresh from unleashing an album of the year contender in Young Marco's Biology, ESP Institute welcome Munich trio Tambien back into the fold for a superb second record. The Der Elf single is described by the label as "a beacon of hope in a dark warehouse" andwill be welcome news for anyone that indulged in Drogato, last year's ESP bow from Bartellow and Public Possession pair Marvin & Valentino. Both tracks here suggest Tambien's productions are growing in confidence and range with each release. The concoction of bouncing 909 rhythms, gently bent synths and heavily delayed vocals that make up the title track could easily be mistaken for a production from Mark Seven's Parkway label, and is complemented nicely by the melodically-driven deepness of "Are You In Touch w/ Varan?"
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ESP 023
18 Aug 14
Deep House
18 Aug 14
Deep House
Review: The esteemed ESP Institute label overseen by digger extraordinaire Lovefingers seems to be right in the midst of a purple patch right now having just dropped excellent long players from Young Marco and the Blase duo of Secret Circuit and Suzanne Kraft. Ahead of exciting returns for Tambien and Tornado Wallace, ESP offer another sublime slice of electronic funk for the open minds out there from Nenad Markovic's 33 10 3402 project. This is the second installment of Markovic's Mecanica series and it's a sound we've personally some to associate with Beppe Loda's infamous mix tapes from the mid-80s cosmic scene in Northern Italy. Both tracks are heavily reminiscent of that era, where brash African drums meet intricate electronic manipulations and funky basslines. A beautiful crossing of post-punk, cold wave and funk. Sublime!
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ESP016B
11 Aug 14
Disco/Nu-Disco
11 Aug 14
Disco/Nu-Disco
Played by: Jimpster, Owain Kimber (Owain K), Scott K. [BOXmusic], Shadow Dancer, Roberto Rodriguez (Manolo), Trujillo, Xxxy, Pete gooding, Tom Trago
Review: Amsterdam-based graphic designer turned producer Young Marco has previously shown hints of greatness, most notably with a pair of superb 12" singles on ESP Institute that layered picturesque melodies atop huggable analogue grooves. Here, he delivers his debut album, Biology, and it's every bit as warm, imaginative and luscious as his previous work. Each of the album's seven tracks is something of a gem, from the crystalline, new age house of "Sea World" and Vangelis Katsoulis-inspired ambience of "Out of Wind", to the Italo-influenced dancefloor pulse of "Suzaku" and rush-inducing, synth-heavy brightness of "Can You Really Feel It". It's one of those albums that will brighten up even the dreariest of days, and those sets are arguably few and far between.
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ESP 018
02 Jun 14
Disco/Nu-Disco
02 Jun 14
Disco/Nu-Disco
Played by: Jad & The
Review: Dublab affiliates and current no-wave dons Pharaohs return to Lovefingers ESP Institute label to get the dancefloor treatment. The Another Beach version forges the sedate lollops of "Ahumbo" into a lush bass groove that's laced with infectious percussion and majestic splashes of instrumentation that build dynamically and hypnotically. Tornado Wallace's take on "If It Ever Feels Right" is even more floor-focussed thanks to its arpeggiated bass twist and Ame-style construction. Spellbinding.
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ESP 014B
28 Apr 14
Disco/Nu-Disco
28 Apr 14
Disco/Nu-Disco
Review: Andrew Hogge's ESP Institute enjoyed a fine 2013, issuing a range of music from Tambien, Pharaohs, Tornado Wallace and Shocks that have deftly widened the label's sonic parameters whilst very much retaining the overarching aesthetic approach the man known as Lovefingers has cultivated. This release sees yet another label debut and it's a new name to us here at Juno; 33-10-3402 is a code name for Nenad Markovic, an imaginative and limitless musician and producer from Belgrade, Serbia. The Mecanica single is apparently the first in a trilogy of "opium den and whorehouse inspired" releases planned with the label and the two tracks further demonstrate just how wide of the mark it is to brand ESP just another disco label. The title cut is an erratic, abstract exercise in cacophony, with Markovic treating a stuttering vocal and crazed drum programming to all manner of delay - no one would bat an eyelid if this came out on PAN. "Byot" meanwhile offers some soothing sanctity and is reminiscent of the excellent KWC 92 LP recently issued on L.I.E.S.
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ESP 016A
13 Jan 14
Techno
13 Jan 14
Techno
Review: Munich trio Tambien come through with their most high profile release yet, gracing the esteemed ESP Institute with an excellent two track excursion in the shape of Drogato. Formed of Public Possession founders Marvin and Valentino and their Munich pal Bartellow, Tambien first emerged on a killer white label release last year before inaugurating the Public Possession label in final style with the Robusto / Sexalitat EP. The sonic themes explored there - straight to tape analogue techno throw downs where robust, rumbling drums duke it out with sinuous basslines - might not seem immediately suited to an ESP release but you can't fault the two productions on Drogato. The title cut implements the sort of psychedelic qualities amidst the rhythmic intensity that clearly appealed to Lovefingers but it's the 12 minute "Dois" that really impresses, swaggering at mid tempo, teasing out a classic breakbeat over a backdrop of sound rich in emotion and colour.
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ESP 021
11 Nov 13
Techno
11 Nov 13
Techno
Played by: Pete Herbert, Roberto Rodriguez (Manolo), Juno Recommends Disco, In Flagranti, Plastic Fantastic
Review: ESP Institute excel at two things very important to labels; releasing interesting original music that spans feelings, tempos and genres yet fit into the overall aesthetical approach and enlisting some fine artists when it comes to remixes. Last year's self-titled album from Land of Light, the collaborative project of ESP regular Johnny Nash and former Spectral Empire producer Kyle Martin perfectly encapsulated the former and this addendum EP does the same for the latter. Peaking Lights, Tiago and The Backwoods all bring their respective styles to the fore in impressive fashion; in thee hands of Aaron "Peaking Lights" Coyes, "Strange Attractor" is transformed into luscious, dubby expanses nudged forth by a lazy motorik beat. Complementing this, Tiago gets his salsa on with a guitar flecked rendition of "Isle Of Tears" whilst Jap crew The Backwoods provide the defining dancefloor moment with their take on "Higher Love".
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ESP 009B
19 Aug 13
Disco/Nu-Disco
19 Aug 13
Disco/Nu-Disco
Review: The Thinking Allowed EP that saw Tornado Wallace debut on ESP Institute earlier this year not only signaled the end of a production hiatus from the affable Melbournite, it hinted at a fuller, more vivid sound that went much further than the pitched down deep house upon which he first made his name. Having subsequently demonstrated this further on releases for Kinfolk and Beats In Space, Wallace returns to Lovefingers label - well sort of - as tracks from the aforementioned Thinking Allowed are reworked by Pharoahs and Nina Amnesia. It's the latter, somewhat mysterious compatriot of Wallace who leads the way with a wonderfully uptempo take on "Bit One", whilst LA trio Pharaohs discard with the Will Powers style vocals of the title track and add plenty of their own instrumentation and production gloss.
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ESP 015B
05 Aug 13
Deep House
05 Aug 13
Deep House
Played by: THIS IS A RECORDING, Dicky Trisco, Gazeebo, Discomendments, Andrew Allsgood (Free Association), Pete Herbert, Lusty Zanzibar, Juno Recommends Disco, Marcus Marr, Shota Tanaka (Beaten Space Probe), Sloppy Seconds, Sccucci Manucci, CC:DISCO!, Adam Freeland, Dynamicron (Los Grandes/Our Nights), Inigo, Faux Métier, Dixfisical
Review: In a 2010 interview, Tornado Wallace explained the inspiration behind his distinctive title as "something between a deep south blues artist or a logger from Nebraska". In subsequent years the Australian has seemingly swapped the south blues artist for something southern Italo, keeping the Nebraskan edge with his logger's beard. This is demonstrated in wondrous fashion on the water-coloured artwork to Thinking Aloud, his debut EP for Lovefingers' ESP Institute. Heavy bass plods switch to a walking bassline in "Bit One", as motorised and starry arpeggios weave between breathy vocals that are as much human as they are synthesised. This is complemented by "Cloud Country" which lowers in BPM with more Italo inspired arpeggios, pulsating toms and sprinklings of Latin sounding synths. The title track slowly reveals itself to be a Balearic burner of the highest calibre, opening with an analogous kick-snare combo and a "higher-self" spoken word spiel that's reminiscent of Will Powers legendary "Adventures In Success". Peaks come; troughs go as the track builds sublimely before dovetailing back to its original form. Welcome back sir!
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ESP 015
18 Feb 13
Disco/Nu-Disco
18 Feb 13
Disco/Nu-Disco
Played by: Kid Who
Review: Pharoahs have already graced 100% Silk with their brand of disco-inspired synth jams, but these three tracks are infinitely more accomplished. "Ahumbo" combines subtle Afrobeat influences with thick, lustrous bass and the kind of spacious guitar licks that would make Talking Heads jealous, while the dubby feel and atonal percussion of "Island Time" recall Ital's brilliant track "Queens". Finally, the "If It Ever Feels Right" goes in as hard as you could imagine an ESP release going, with thick analogue bass tumbling out of control at 132bpm driven relentlessly forward by a conga-led rhythm, which segues effortlessly into a blissful saxophone breakdown. Unsurprisingly, this is excellent stuff which comes highly recommended.
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ESP 014
18 Feb 13
Disco/Nu-Disco
18 Feb 13
Disco/Nu-Disco
Review: We've prattled on before about the immense talents of Amsterdam-based producer Marco Sterck, describing his previous missive for ESP Institute as being like "Larry Heard on a fistful of downers". "Video Days", on the other hand, is like an immense MDMA rush in the company of Lindstrom, Yellow Magic Orchestra and LB Bad - all twinkling, Japanese-inspired melodies, darting electronics and gently lapping chords. It goes without saying that it's superb. "Later Than You Think" is impressive, too, layering bold, "Coma Cat"-ish melodies atop a woozy base of frisky, jazz-flecked drums, bittersweet chords and vintage electronics. If anything, it provides even more of an intense rush than its predecessor. Bliss.
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ESP 013
08 Nov 12
Disco/Nu-Disco
08 Nov 12
Disco/Nu-Disco
Played by: Discomendments
Review: The underground music scene is full of unheralded talent - people and labels whose significant contribution to a sound or style often goes overlooked. Amsterdam-based Marco Sterk could well be one of those people. A graphic designer by trade, he is responsible for the distinctive look and feel of Rush Hour's many releases. But that's not all. He's also the man behind the stop-start Hand Of God label, an imprint whose sporadic releases gainfully attempt to join the dots between classic and contemporary house, leftfield disco and, on occasions, Italo. Here, he joins forces with the similarly overlooked ESP Institute label. Like Sterk's own Hand of God imprint, ESP Institute operates at the margins, delivering music that doesn't quite fit into neat categories. The two tracks showcased here are typical of both Sterk and ESP Institute's approach. Lead cut "Nonono" seems to exist somewhere in the margins; some elements sound like Stereolab, others Larry Heard after a fistful of downers. "Darwin", on the other hand, could definitely be described as "Balearic". Featuring relentless, hypnotic melodies and marimba-ish riffs alongside nagging, stripped-back percussion, it sounds like a skewed take on the classic works of Steve Reich. With darting, soft focus synths and an undulating groove, it's both mesmeric and enchanting. To these ears, it almost sounds like a contemporary answer to Chris Carter's beguiling "Moonlight", itself re-released last year by Optimo Music. Given the quality of these two tracks, it's likely we'll hear more from Young Marco over the next few years.
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ESP 012
13 Feb 12
Disco/Nu-Disco
13 Feb 12
Disco/Nu-Disco
