smilecoldanatomy.blogspot.com

Recently i discussed Richie Hawtin's Plastikman project. One big reason why i like Plastikman is that even though it is very minimal, he usually has some drawn out atmospheric noise in the background to settle the music within a deep, disturbing atmosphere. During the past few months, due to some mnml ssg mixes and an RA label of the month spotlight, i've been attempting to wrap my brain around the concept of "headfuck... more...

smilecoldanatomy.blogspot.com

Recently i discussed Richie Hawtin's Plastikman project. One big reason why i like Plastikman is that even though it is very minimal, he usually has some drawn out atmospheric noise in the background to settle the music within a deep, disturbing atmosphere. During the past few months, due to some mnml ssg mixes and an RA label of the month spotlight, i've been attempting to wrap my brain around the concept of "headfuck techno", and i think i'm finally getting it. from the munich, Germany-based label Prologue comes this recent EP, Prologue Portefuille One, a trio of tracks that are definitely exemplary of a new, futuristic sound that harkens back to the simplistic subleties of Plastikman, 15 years ago. On this EP are three producers, Gianluca Meloni, Claudio PRC and Obtane, whom i had never heard of before, and each one puts forth a lengthy, hypnotic epic that focuses almost entirely on rhythm. Busy drumlines phase in and out as rhythmic acid melodies gradually transform and solidify, all under a dark atmosphere that sounds like an icey wind, or a steady inhale or exhale of breath. There's not much else to these tracks, barely even a semblance of melody, but what's there carries so much depth. This is an amazing record, one that rewards patient listening on good headphones or a nicely controlled, enclosed soundsystem. prologue's take on minimalist electronic music is refreshing and exciting, the label is barely a year old, and i can't help but think that big things are in store for these guys! less

Resident Advisor

With all the faux throwback minimal and house being tossed about the electronic music community these days, it's nice to see producers and labels reaching just a little farther and a little more to the left with their approach. Prologue Records shot out of the gate two years ago with a string of successful yet largely unnoticed releases by some unknown names, taking chances where most others would shy away. Newest to the pack is Japanese producer... more...

Resident Advisor

With all the faux throwback minimal and house being tossed about the electronic music community these days, it's nice to see producers and labels reaching just a little farther and a little more to the left with their approach. Prologue Records shot out of the gate two years ago with a string of successful yet largely unnoticed releases by some unknown names, taking chances where most others would shy away. Newest to the pack is Japanese producer iORi.

"Unknown Place" is a driving, spaced-out adventure of a track. Simplicity is the key notion here: Caustic, metallic percussion nestle politely with hypnotic atmospheric washes that, accompanied by the dubbed bass, warm things up nicely. Continuing where the title track leaves off, "Magnetic" is a deep and heady scorcher. The slowly growing acid line that reveals itself over the course of ten minutes is married to an equally as slow-building and evolving synth. A track meant for the patient listener and DJ, it shows an astounding amount of depth for such a relatively new producer.

Finishing things off, "Dial" drops the BPM's and heads to the mid-'90s with a squared bassline and teasing 303 beeps. Always building but never reaching a head, most will argue it does "too little, too late," but fans of the sound will feel this—like the rest of the EP—is a brilliant start to a reinterpretation of techno's past that many are patiently awaiting. less