AKRA ‘AKRA Sounds Vol.1 (inc. Neville Watson Remix)’

AKRA / AKRA Sounds Vol.1 (inc. Neville Watson Remix)

Vinyl / Digital 

Teng / Released July 2012

 

What does it sound like? 

More proof that there’s something of a darkroom resurgence going on in the UK, brand new London label Teng unveils this sumptuous package of dubby but engaging tech styles, courtesy of deep house and disco head Nick Woolfson, who’s been around the block a few times with the likes of DFA and Mule Music. Less sexy grooves, and more trippy patterns, it seem this particular style of shoe fits the producer pretty well.

In the first instance, Black Seeds, there’s a hint of the epic as brass horns cry, hi-hats glisten, and clappers snap, all the while a filtered, echoed harmony keeps things melodious. Second offering, Dust To Dirt, follows a similar path, all muted arpeggios and key refrains, building into an ever more intense wall of sound before dissipating into a warbling, bouncing low end. Cue shuffling accents and the ongoing feeling of forward propulsion without hitting the ‘driving’ mark, and we’re left with something very, very good indeed. Then, of course, we have the Neville Watson Remix of Dust To Dirt, which sees the oft unsung stalwart accentuate the drums, percussion and cymbals, increasing the pronunciation of the slightly mysterious keys, giving us some Craig Richards, 6AM material.

What highlights can I expect to hear? 

Both tracks and the reworking are strong, proud but understated in that oh-so-difficult to find killer B-side way, meaning just like when we first cottoned on to still new-ish Bristol imprint Elastic Dreams, everything on here makes us pretty happy.

Where can I buy it? 

Red Eye Records.

 


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