[Slutfunk Records]

Here’s a bold move: launching your spanking new label with a young turk’s vinyl debut. That’s just what Zurich-based Slutfunk Records has done with the first entry in its catalog, the “Flash Royal EP” by hitherto unknown, Andri. But given founder Disco Dave’s long partnership with Ibiza superclub Privilege and his ownership of DJ gear shop Jackpoint, identifying worthy tracks and artists should be the easy part. It seems his confidence has paid off, as Andri’s four track debut offers a surprisingly well defined micro/minimal sound recalling Melchior Productions soaked in youth.

One unfortunately common pitfall of the micro/minimal intersection is the tendency to stuff tracks full of incongruous samples in order to distinguish it from other similarly bland tracks (“mine is the one with the car back-firing, the baby coos and stapler crunching, holla!”). Andri largely avoids overindulging which is distinguishing enough, instead finding natural unused corners to shelve purposeful shards to help pull the song through grooves. The rampant percussion of “Strutter” gains great presence from a flaring bass line and bugged out keyb stabs. “Bounzer” rides a lean and scraping rhythm into storm cloud synths, barely making its way through uneventful conversation snippet breakdown. Andri looks to Cajmere for the bubbly thrust of “Jack Is Back,” replete with knobby three note melody. Perhaps the most reminiscent of Thomas Melchior is the humming, offhand vocal-sampling “Ala Bass,” even if its number of elements is swollen with inexperience. Still, Andri shows a good of deal of promise on his first time out, as does Slutfunk’s ear for talent. Yet another reason to keep your eyes and ears on Switzerland.