‘Long Trax 2’ is a more-than-worthy sequel to the first volume and hopefully another instalment in a series that continues for a long time to come.
Reviews
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Jared Wilson: I Love Acid 017
Staying with the theme of fresh talent – in relative terms of acid house legacy – ‘I Love Acid 017’ sees Detroit producer Jared Wilson join the ranks. For the last ten years, he’s been cutting a path through some of the most boisterous labels on the scene, bouncing between his own 7777 imprint to the likes of Dixon Avenue Basement Jams, Dolly and Super Rhythm Trax.
Francis Harris: Minor Forms
Francis Harris returns to his imprint Scissor & Thread to present his first solo material in three years. His new EP, the eagerly awaited ‘Minor Forms’, features two original tracks from Harris’ own hand, complemented by two remixes from IDO co-founder Valentino Mora, who delivers his first reworks ever since shifting monikers.
Rafael Anton Irisarri: Sirimiri
Shrouded in melancholic vapours and forlorn harmonics, Irisarri’s new album for Umor Rex presents four majestic extended cuts as so many viewpoints on an untouched phantasmal valley. Drawing its name from the Basque word for ‘drizzle’ – which makes absolute sense given the fine-grained, caressingly fresh nature of its sound design, ‘Sirimiri’ offers sensations in their purest essence, primitively symbolic yet actively contemplative.
Sonniku: Diamond Dust
With ambient often falling into one of two camps – aural representations of Jupiter or the unsettling tones of a cheese grater orchestra – Sonniku has hit upon an inspired niche. If your childhood was spent contemplating hit points and there is a little circular indent on your thumbprint that has never faded away, there may just be something here for you.
Sasha ‘Refracted’ live at Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
Long time staff writer Simon Whight shares his experience of Sasha’s live performance of ‘Refracted’ at Bridgewater Hall in Manchester.
Kilchhofer: The Book Room
‘The Book Room’, Kilchhofer’s new collection of modular synth jams, takes us through dreamy panoramas of tropical exotica, alpine warmth and moonlit glades with plenty of highlights to spare along the way. Over a monolithic 74 minutes and 20 songs, this ecocentric debut album demands an immersive, uninterrupted listen.
Job Sifre: Bestaan
Out via Mark van de Maat’s ever dependable Knekelhuis label, Job Sifre second EP ‘Bestaan’ does better than live up to expectations, it further establishes the young Red Light Radio and De School resident as a new vital player in town. Stream ‘Zodiak’ inside.
Lone: Ambivert Tools Volume Three
This third volume sees Lone in a mood that draws comparisons to Bicep’s award stealing album from last year. Where the Belfast born duo explored early 90’s progressive edged vibes through a crystalline lens, ‘Ambivert Tools Volume 3’ goes widescreen in its approach.
Dedekind Cut: Tahoe
Fred Welton Warmsley III, is still working as hard as ever, and continuing to produce under new monikers Barrio Sur, and namely Dedekind Cut for his latest release…’Tahoe’ is saying no to the now, it’s therapeutic in it’s own blooming, where Lee Gamble left off, Dedekind Cut drones over in ethereal sombre.
Nathan Fake: Sunder
There is much to be said for not over producing and recording live to tape – yet regardless of the work process, it’s the final outcome that matters most and in this case it has served “Sunder” and our ears magnificently.
Paper Dollhouse: The Sky Looks Different Here
Paper Dollhouse latest album ‘The Sky Looks Different Here’ conjures both ethereal escapism and cold reality. The album feels haunted by monolithic structures, yet it strives to amplify the cracks of light shining through
Ripperton: Sight Seeing
Although there is a rising sentiment that everyone and their dog is now listening to ambient, Ripperton’s ‘Sight Seeing’ LP on ESP Institute has been a constant companion for myself over the past couple of months. In a high volume, high consumption world, an album being as tenacious as ‘Sight Seeing’ is something to truly value.
James Zabiela: Balance 029
Commissioned mixes have been through their driest 12 months in recent memory, creating a palpable appetite for something fresh and lavish. James Zabiela’s ‘Balance 029’ is beyond a marker for a brand new year, it is a brand new star in the most exclusive of constellations.
Deeat Palace: Deeat Palace
Fresh off an excellent split of AFX-indebted electro and chopped-and-screwed rap courtesy of Crave and Lieu Noir, Parisian label Mind Records returns with Deeat Palace’s self-titled debut, serving up a pair of blustery mind-benders, harnessing the power of convulsive noise strata and rogue synth waves rising from the abysses. Not for the faint of heart.
Anenon: Tongue
Start to finish, from the chord changes to the building rhythms, the field recordings to the trickle of keys, Anenon is giving us something here that’s elevated, personal, raw… Tongue is regenerative.