[Perspectiv]

Ripperton and Sam K’s label Perspectiv got its start in late 2006/early 2007, just as the former was approaching his peak popularity. The imprint pointed its new found limelight at a cast of relative unknowns like Minz, Ndru, Lucy, October and Dachshund, among others. But as Ripperton’s popularity waned post-Lazy Fat People, so did listeners’ appetite for his label’s fresh-faced selection and its singles have gone by mostly unnoticed. That’s a shame, because the end of 2008 was an especially fertile time for Perspectiv, which released a tasty platter from Dana Ruh (backed by an equally sumptuous Agnès remix) and Christian Vance’s debut, the “Tiger Snake EP.”

For a first timer, Vance’s sound is surprisingly detailed and well developed. A sparkling progression opens “Tiger Snake” carrying a sleek and winding mid-range riff in its wake, its attack growing ever sharper. Wriggling tones and tense pads notch up the pressure until a breakdown strips things back to square one. Some might dismiss Vance’s sound as too reminiscent of Carl Craig, but they’re missing out on the charged atmosphere “Tiger Snake” ushers onto the dance floor (and these days C2 is too busy with more artsy pursuits to churn out floor-fillers). Quarion manages to do “Tiger Snake” one better while maintaining its wide angle approach. By reducing the original elements to a fluttering loop churning in the background, he makes room for a Chicago-influenced bass line, syncopated plucks and a bright synth lead to get dancers grinning. Taken together it’s incredibly effective and ranks among Quarion’s best remixes. Minz’s “Rattlecat” remix is the least compelling of the bunch but doesn’t slouch, rolling the bass notes into squishy progressions and firing off distorted chords that fizzle and flare. It’s perhaps too early to say Perspectiv is mounting a comeback, as singles this solid make you wonder what you’ve been missing all along.