London-based producer, Sam Russo, drops the 'Wanderer' EP via the Air London imprint this October, backed with a remix from the ever on-point, John Tejada. ... .. Title track 'To The Brink' kicks things off here, and Russo opts for a warbling arpeggiated synth chord as the driving force, running alongside gritty drum samples programmed in a bumpy, off-kilter fashion. Things steadily bloom in this state as the envelope of the arp line subtly blooms, dark, low-end tones are worked in, and the latter stages introduce glitched-out atmospherics, adding a further weight to an already infectious, energetic record. The original mix of 'Wanderer' follows, Russo opts for a more strippedback, dubbed-out vibe this time. ... Last up to close the release is John Tejada's reshape of 'Wanderer', as with most things Tejada puts his ears to, the interpretation is unique and instilled with a rugged production appeal. … More

Vitalik Recordings welcomes Sam Russo to the ranks with the rather fantastic Vanishing Test EP. Sam's production skills defy his years, his style defined and his sound signature. His trained ears have been sought after by the likes of Craig Richards, Matt Tolfrey and Huxley in recent studio collaborations. His music is non-categorical genre speaking however his influences permeate his music, dub and bass play key roles, darkness and light coexist in a dynamic juxtaposition, bright expansive pads soar over rumbling kicks and moody bass lines. Enlisting another protagonist of the next wave of UK underground producers, Jordan Peak delivers a low slung, industrial feeling number aimed squarely at the floor, his trademark snappy percussion and body moving bassline make this cut somewhat of a weapon. Finally MRSK rounds off the EP with (for want of a better description) a peak time banger. Sharing the production values of collaborators and friends Skudge, similarly MRSK manages to attain an unsurpassed clarity and magnitude of sound in his productions, this is no less evident in this remix, this remix is BIG.
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Matt Tolfrey’s Leftroom Limited brings you Sam Russo’s ‘Losing Things’, backed with a remix from Jack Dixon. Sam Russo has had a long running relationship with the Leftroom label and his collaborative EP ‘The Summer Soundtrack’ with Huxley back in 2011 led to a string of further releases on the imprint, pushing Sam into the limelight and helping to spread his wings further afield releasing original work and remixes with the likes of OFF Recordings, Air London, 1trax and Fullbarr. The release opens with the original version of ‘Losing Things’, employing raw shuffled drums, a bubbling sub bass hook and a processed spoken word vocal line as its driving force. The cut steadily blooms in such a state throughout its near seven and a half minute duration, subtly introducing tweaky acid licks and additional perc lines to fuel its energy. Stepping up next is Hotflush artist Jack Dixon reworking title track ‘Losing Things’. Dixon veers the record in an entirely different direction, creating an ethereal atmosphere with flourishing bell chime melodies and a bulbous sub-bass. The track builds to a peak, where Dixon strips back the groove and puts its focus on drums, bass and vocal snippets. Next we have ‘Delivery’, a low-slung house number with a stripped back vibe, crunchy 909 drums lead the way alongside a gritty saw-wave bass and more tripped out, delayed vocal lines. ‘Mailbox format’ follows, a perfect way to wind down the wax side of the release, Russo takes things deeper here with fluttering pads, a moody evolving bass hook and subtle manipulation on the synthesized elements creating a blossoming dynamic.
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Jordan Peak makes a stellar return to the Air London imprint this September with the 'Cause For Concern' EP, a three-track collection from the London based producer. The ever on-point Jordan Peak has been continually delivering striking and versatile material over the past four years, releasing records via some leading labels in underground house and techno, such as Tsuba, Robsoul, Bass Culture and One Records. Here we see Jordan return to the Air London label, following his 'It's Time / Hanging By A Thread' EP on the imprint last year. Peak kicks off the 'Cause For Concern' EP with 'Tones & Textures', a rugged groove-led workout fuelled by a bumpy, penetrating rhythm. The synthesized elements then add a warm and charming character to the composition, meandering around the percussive foundation; Peak employs ethereal pads, swirling dub echoes and resonant stabs here to create a mesmerizing and hypnotic vibe. Following is 'Sacred Ground' which picks up the pace slightly with insistent sub tones, naturally swung organic percussion, ever evolving, tension building atmospherics and a trippy spoken-word vocal line uttering the track's title sporadically. Once again resulting in a classy, understated piece of work from this clear-cut talent. The package is then closed with 'Divider', a brilliant construction to finish the package which sees Jordan opt for a more minimalistic approach, stripping back the drums to a sparse yet punchy vibe, while rounded low-end tones drive things along, and bubbling bell sounds, gritty stabs and aggressive bass hits are thrown into the mix intermittently.
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London-based producer, Sam Russo, drops the 'Wanderer' EP via the Air London imprint this October, backed with a remix from the ever on-point, John Tejada. ... .. Title track 'To The Brink' kicks things off here, and Russo opts for a warbling arpeggiated synth chord as the driving force, running alongside gritty drum samples programmed in a bumpy, off-kilter fashion. Things steadily bloom in this state as the envelope of the arp line subtly blooms, dark, low-end tones are worked in, and the latter stages introduce glitched-out atmospherics, adding a further weight to an already infectious, energetic record. The original mix of 'Wanderer' follows, Russo opts for a more strippedback, dubbed-out vibe this time. ... Last up to close the release is John Tejada's reshape of 'Wanderer', as with most things Tejada puts his ears to, the interpretation is unique and instilled with a rugged production appeal. … More