Review: Jackson Ryland has a few releases to his credit, and now he brings his production skills to Valence for his debut on Ambivalent's label. The title track resounds to lithe break beats and deep chords, which unfold at a leisurely pace. On "Hit Send", Ryland ups the pace, and weaves layered dub chords over a sparse, stepping rhythm. The end result is a mesmerising but somewhat moody techno track. "Braids" sees Ryland continue in this vein; journeying deeper into the realms of dubbed out techno, it's a cavernous affair that puts this emerging US producer in the same category as Mike Parker and Donato Dozzy.
Review: Valence provided the forum for Ambivalent to reinvent himself. Formerly associated with minimalism and the Minus label, the US producer now makes some of the finest contemporary club techno. "Untitled" is a case in point: over a robust kick, he lays down a howling siren riff and a crisp percussive backing. There is a clarity of sound and precision audible here that few of his contemporaries can reach. On "Gorge", he uses a similarly tough backing, but lays down a searing acid line as an accompaniment. "Interrupted" closes the release with the kind of lush ambient techno that was a staple of producers like Orbital and System 7 during the 90s.
Review: The latest episode in Ambivalent's label sees the US producer bring together some of the best new names in techno. He cosies up to Matrixxman on "Junction"; led by pounding drums and ferocious percussive blasts it sets the tone for the rest of the release. Physical Therapy also drops a visceral techno track in the shape of "Rosemary" which morphs into a dreamy segue but without losing its abrasive edge. Avalon Emerson replicates the sound of an entire beehive being eliminated on the layered tonal builds of "Glider Gun" while Toms Due rounds off this dance floor-primed release with the acid-led jacking rhythm of "Module".
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