Review: Following years spent showcasing his hallucinatory, tribal-tinged musical fusions on the likes of Multi-Culti, Lumiere Noire and Roam Recordings, Inigo Vontier makes his bow on Optimo Music's club-focused Digital Danceforce offshoot. He hits the ground running with title track 'Setsi', a thrillingly mind-mangling chugger rich in wonky electronic noises, foreboding pulses, stabbing bass and restless cowbells, before dousing Maurice Fulton's Syclops sound in premium Mezcal on 'Weirdo'. 'Oh Yeah' fixes hissing, seemingly-non-stop cymbals and more trippy electronics to a locked-in groove, while 'Mental Letal' is a shroom-powered throb-job where undulating electronics and odd, modular-sounding noises fizz across the sound space.
Review: Following some great releases by the likes of Niv Ast, Tom Sharkett and Man Power, Optimo Music Digital Danceforce is back this week with an offering by a dynamite duo. This one is comprised of Duro chief Theus Mago alongside Curses of Ombra International fame on "Antidoto" , a chugging and hypnotising dark disco journey incorporating atonal guitars and wacky vocals, as well the lo-slung indie dance workout "Dafne" and finally Despo" which like the EP's title track fuses elements of new beat, punk and dub into the mix.
Review: Man Power aka Geoff Kirkwood returns to Optimo with a fine two-track release. "UIUAWIO" is an irresistible, chugging affair, with Kirkwood introducing tripped out sensibilities such as niggling acid lines and breathy vocal samples. The tribal percussion that he layers over these elements only serves to add to the track's out there feeling. "Psychedelectricity" is supposedly inspired by Man Power's love of comic books, and as its title suggests, there is a psychedelic vibe throughout. Once again, he uses evocative vocals, and, combining them on this occasion with warbling 303s, delivers an understated but effective slice of modern acid house.