[Desolat]

After an unusually brutal and excessively long winter, my senses are clamoring for anything that can transport me to a balmy clime. Lately that’s meant repeated spins of “Watamu Beach,” the latest from Sebbo (aka Sebastian Suckfüll). Whether the Würzburg-based producer’s had the pleasure of visiting the idyllic region of Kenya (a part of which is depicted above) is uncertain, but his sticky dub techno tune nonetheless captures the essence of what one might encounter while partying at the water’s edge. “Watamu Beach” is the third release on Martin Buttrich and Loco Dice’s recently launched Desolat label; and considering the massive reach of their first release (a little tune by the name of “RibCage”) and complete obscurity of their second (Internullo, who?), the label offers bang to consumers’ buck with an increasingly rare rework by Basic Channel/Maurizio maestro, Moritz von Oswald.

Sebbo’s African getaway is more of a call to action than relaxing background noise, charging the air with humid white noise loops, widely rebounding claps and a forceful beat. Joined by a chorus of rising African chants and oscillating globs of dubbed melody, it’s easy to get lost in the infectious and palpable atmosphere “Watamu Beach” creates. If Sebbo got you sweaty, von Oswald’s lengthy rework is more suited for the toweling off. Pulled back to neat shaker patterns, rippling hand percussion and diminutive triplets, von Oswald puts forth deliberate, powerful tones and, as the beat fades, heady amorphous swirls to soothe dancers’ feet while they spark a joint. Although this Desolat release is unlikely to flare up much controversy, the sheer quality and versatility of “Watamu Beach” could make it nearly as buzzed about. Essential for those wallowing through winter’s dregs or in the midst of working on a tan.