Page 58 - Zone Magazine Issue 015

MUSIC REVIEWS
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Echonomist Nebula LP [Upon You Records]
Various Artists Uvar.Ltd [UvarLtd]
This 10 track LP of dance electronica Comes to you with a real varied mix of tracks with some being uptempo groovers others mid pace chuggers and some ambient, but all are good and well worth a listen.
It was written by the Greek producer Petros Manganaris, better known under his Echonomist moniker who has been releasing tunes on the Upon You label since 2009. It is made up of ten tracks of which the first is ‘Cosmos’ which is a spaced out ethereal synth tune with no beats at all and acts as an excellent intro track for what is to come. Next up is ‘Crescent Moon’ which is my favourite track on the LP with a beat laden intro and spacial harmonies and a funky bass line that makes it really stand out. It is followed by ‘Free Fall’ which is a deep techy cut with shakers and a simple but effective synth hook which morphs its sound as the track progresses and really drags you into its sound. Next is the title track Nebula which is deep, heart warming and futuristic as the sound washes over you and that is followed by ‘Agony’ which is nothing like the title suggests and features a big synth riff and a solid 4/4 beat. ‘Perasma’ is another ambient number with bleeps and a wall of synth sound and Sofa Surfer brings back the beats in another techy ethereal presentation that would work equally well on the dance floor as it does as an album track. Next is ‘Meonas feat. Thodoris Triantafillou’ which is a minimalist cut with electric pianos and crisp percussion and then the oddly named ‘ΑΑΩ’ which is another deep tech groover which just builds and builds the synth led tension throughout. The last track ‘Metamorphosis’ is the deepest track on the album with eerie sounds and a conga drum beat in parts which is really ambient and futuristic.
This is a fine piece of electronica when listened to as a whole and I also can see a few singles being released from it as well, and with the right remixers they could really fly. It is a brave and ambitious project and deserves praise and is well worth a listen if you want a little more depth to your listening.
Release date: May 15th
Genre: Electronica
Words By Danny Slade http://www.uponyou-records.com
Kicking off this great compilation, “Nourish” by Vid is a quirky number with a wonky bassline and solid deep tech drums with reverb washed percussion and detuned delayed vocals over the top. A simple club track, great for the right dj. Andrei Kharitonov's “Better Late” is pure deep tech, with minimal bass and piano chords over the top of a repeating radio sample that gives the track its basis. Jazzy stabs punctuate things nicely and the drums keep things rolling nicely. “Cosmic gypsy” by Nu Zau is again a bit quirky with wonky percussion over the top of a solid bassline and tight drums. Sepp brings in his take, with a squidgy bassline and sparse drums. Lizz's “Open windows” again is all about the distinctive bassline, throaty spoken vocal samples and light on the drums but with enough punch to keep it focused on the floor. Cosmjn's “Lite” is definitley more aimed at the dancefloor, with a chunky monotone stab bassline, coupled with the shuffling percussion and tough kick, this is a cracker.
Idana joins in with “Orquideas” which again raises the energy levels with a more floaty arpeggio line and piano stabs, sitting nicely with deep drums and tight percussion.
Rounding things off is Rojid with “Dulcet” brings things nicely to a close with a nice bassline and floaty arpeggios and light pads bringing a dreamy feeling to the end of a solid compilation.
Some of it may not be for everyone, but there is something in here for everyone.
Out Now
Hoouse & Techno Words By John Ricketts
https://www.deejay.de/
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58 ZONE-MAGAZINE.COM
zone rating 8/10
zone rating 7/10