[Sistrum Recordings]

In a lot of contemporary deep house tracks I’ve heard, it seems percussion has taken a backseat to melodic arrangements in complexity and originality. Maybe it’s a subconscious reaction to mnml’s rhythmic focus and the genre’s present over saturation. Maybe chords are more satisfying or maybe it’s just easier to throw down a basic 4/4 beat and build vertically. Whatever the case, it’s wholly refreshing to find deep house producers like Ksoul (Stefano Boati) & Ra.H (Rabih Beaini) who pride themselves on tending to rhythmic arrangements with the same diligence as on synth progressions. “Turning Point,” their immense contribution to the first “Underground Anthems EP” on Patrice Scott’s Sistrum Recordings, certainly finds the beauty in the beat.

Soft, syncopated pulses and hi-hat patter invite listeners inside for a warm up lap around the club and keeps them inside with clamorous swells. Using a wide palatte of cleverly spaced rattles, intermittent kicks and serrated reverberations, Ksoul and Ra.H inject a great deal of rhythmic detail into “Turning Point” without it feeling overbearing or awkward. Perfectly suited for the first few spots in a DJ’s set, “Turning Point” immediately sets a tone of sophistication (not loungy) and deepness. Having not heard much of the Sistrum Recordings/Aesthetic Audio/Morphine Records players before this, I’m eager to explore what else this crew has to offer.