On their latest record ‘Mantrum‘, Prague’s Harmony Rec. collective welcome a new voice to their label in the form of Forest On Stasys, and keep it in the family with remixes from co-founder Alfred Czital and Isotoop’s Shoal.
Harmony have quite the reputation, amongst the initiated, for throwing wild parties throughout the Czech capital, from residencies in Ankali to more outlandish and off-piste locations far from the enclosure of four walls. Their label, six releases deep in as many years, shows the slow consideration and dedicated care given to each of their missives, just as with their legendary events.
‘Mantrum‘ sees Harmony consolidate on their standing in the hypnotic techno world, with two original tracks from Forest On Stasys perfectly matching the label’s smooth but patiently driving aesthetic. On the flip, Alfred Czital and Shoal work their magic, twisting the originals into adventures in even deeper space.
Shoal, who was last seen on wax for Harmony with his ‘Laogan‘ EP, shows his deep understanding of the label’s ethos with his remix of ‘Déjà Vu‘. Bubbling, bass soaked rhythms are the order of the day, on this as with the original, but the Isotoop member’s addition of light touches of acid sets the track on course for the stratosphere. Typically for the sub-genre, the biggest rewards wait for the patient listener, yet Shoal’s hand steers each subtle movement together in such a way that the crescendo is reached not at a single point, but near constantly throughout.
Fast movers will be able to grab a limited full-artwork sleeve from the label’s Bandcamp – look to the gallery for more images.
‘Mantrum’ is scheduled for release 19 February via Harmony Rec. Order a copy on Bandcamp.
TRACKLIST
1. Déjà Vu
2. Ofrenda
3. Déjà Vu (Shoal Remix)
4. Ofrenda (Alfred Czital Midnight Edit)