Zone-Magazine-Wally-Lopez-Issue-040

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Raho - Hypnotic Sequense EP [OFF 311]
I always keep an eye on OFF record promos, not all of there releases grab me but every know and then
one will jump out. Well this one caught my attention after the first listen with a deep rumbling bassline and
very nice modern hypnotic sinewave synth on title track ‘Hypnotic Sequence’. This carries it along and
beeps and changes and infects your mind along with warm bass drones for extra measure. Track two ‘ My
Half’ up’s the BPM and the energy for a hard futuristic thumper that wouldn’t sound amiss on Dax J’s
Monnom Black label. Great work! Final track ‘No Response’ is similar in ilk to track two and is packed full of
energy, cool rhythms and an added acid line for the 303 lovers. Three very playable tracks in this cool
package.
https://www.junodownload.com/products/raho-hypnotic-sequence/6619142-02/
Mascon - Tongestaltung [Snork Enterprises]
Four originals here from Mascon on quirky German label Snork Enterprises, plus a killer remix ‘Cabernet’ is
deep tough purist techno, packed full of raw hypnotic rhythms and clever percussion. ‘Secret Service’
follows in the same vein, a bit deeper and more eerie with nice shuffling hats carrying it along. ‘Nonsens’ is
my least favourite of the four, whilst my pic of the originals is ‘Sumpfralle’ which is the most energetic of
mason’s tracks, clanking beats, busy shuffling perc, this packs a hell of a punch! Class. The remix on the
EP is by legendary Irish artist Sunil Sharpe and as you would expect, it is sheer quality. Bouncy, Jacking
and packed full of techno groove, like his sets this really gets you dancing like a mad man with a big
cheesy grin on your face. Wonky techno banger! Check it out!
https://snorkenterprises.bandcamp.com/album/tongemisch
SP1 - WRK [Arkham Audio]
Big fan of the Arkham Audio label and they continue their fine form with this EP from Rising Belgian artist SP1. There are
four originals and six (6) remixes on offer here. My pic of the originals is WRK2, a dark and broody tune with such a
rumbling deep low end, intricate percussive patterns, squelchy bass synth zaps and stabs and a wooden rattling
instrument that evolves and spins out. Love it. All of SP1’s originals are excellently produced, heavy, but crisp and punchy
in all the right places. Defiantly someone to look out for! The package includes some really good remixes from Klint,
Stanislav Tolkachev, OctOgn, and Cri Du Coeur & Erratum, but the two that will do most damage for me are the Energetic
and galloping J.Blofeld remix which is full of hypnotic synth action and the Steve Redhead remix which is a heavy loopy
hardgroove Monster of a track! Lovely stuff!
https://criducoeurarkhamaudio.bandcamp.com/album/wrk-ep
Gunjack - Mfunk Trax Volume 1 [Resilient Recordings]
This just came in last minute before the deadline. But I must get this in! LA’s ‘Gunjack’ continues to build
on his reputation, delivering 3 tracks that are gritty, hypnotic, and packed full of underground acid! Brian,
known for his intense and raw techno productions, has consistently pushed the boundaries of the genre
and these 3 tracks on Eddie Santini’s wicked Resilient imprint are three of his best IMO. ‘MDUB9’ Is first up.
Deeper and rolling compared to the others, crips hats and lovely atmospherics carry this nicely along
accompanied with a repetitive vox for good measure. The second track ‘Acid City’ shifts gears slightly,
incorporating a darker bassline and exquisite acid lines. Quite old school sounding this! My favourite of the
EP is ‘Acidf4k’ which is packed full of raw and aggressive energy from the start. The acid synths are front
and centre, cutting through the mix with a squelchy intensity, and there is a strong focus on the low end.
The acid lines are gritty and unrefined, which makes this sound so raw and ‘Avin it!’ Great release this is,
you must check it out.
https://www.beatport.com/release/mfunk-trax-volume-1/4528229
Norus & DJ Whipr Snipr - Gravitational Attraction [Nerang Recordings]
This also came in late, although I believe this is out now. But I needed to mention this excellent EP of
Electro and Electronica. Norus & DJ Whipr Snipr are new to me, but I will defiantly be keeping an eye out
for them. You can tell the lads are heavily influenced by the innovative sounds of Aphex Twin and the
legendary Warp Records (No wonder it jumped out at me!) There are five tracks on offer full of heavy
electro breakbeats, futuristic vibes, glitchy effects, beautiful atmospherics and for my favourite track
‘Invisible Commission’ there is a lush acid line which just tops it off. This track literally sounds like it’s a
linking track between Selected Ambient Works and Syro! (High praise indeed) If electronica is your thing,
check this out!
https://nerangrecordings4211.bandcamp.com/album/nrng015-n-rus-dj-whipr-snipr-gravitational-attraction
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