Last time we saw Keith Worthy’s Aesthetic Audio delving into the various artists 12″ format it was the continuation of the Underground Anthems series done in collaboration with Sistrum Recordings earlier that same year. Since then the two Detroit labels seem to have been working in parallel pushing the city’s house sound into further realms of raw and atmospheric intensity. And coincidentally, four years later both labels’ next various artists release come at roughly the same time, although completely unrelated.
Abstract Art Vol. 1 features Worthy himself, and also two new names to the label who are very likely unknown to even the most dedicated house/techno heads. Polish producer Michal Wierzchowski starts off “Deep Roots” with vague tribal chanting before leaping into twisting synth arpeggios and sustained chords, its clattering metallic percussion and muffled kicks adding generously to the frenetic, jumpy energy of the track. In what appears to be his first signed production, Nick Agha’s “Climates” heads steadfast down the deep house route with a well-executed but fairly predictable conclusion. On the other hand, Worthy’s contribution, “The Dark Symphony,” takes on a rougher, techno feel keeping an adjacency to Wierzchowski’s production. Calling on a raw flanged bass line reminiscent of one used on last year’s excellent “Rockit Science,” its synthetic patterns bounce through sullen chord phrasing and bristling keyboard melodies to create a moody techno mover. With such strong statements of purpose as the two A-side tracks, Abstract Art Vol. 1 starts this fresh series with a firecracker bang.
Unknown to even the most dedicated house/techno heads? Come on, it takes half a minute to find this: http://www.discogs.com/artist/Deckard
Kuri didn’t say they were impossible to look up, he said most folks in the game probably aren’t familiar with the producers. Big difference.
Well, he said something about the most dedicated techno heads, not most folks in the game, if we’re being so exact. I don’t wanna make any fuss, still, I think there was a bit of laziness on his side to sum things up with that kind of phrase.
But as I said, no need to go on with this topic. I love LWE as much as I did before, though one of the reasons is the attention to details all of you usually pay.
EOT on my side. Sum it up if you have the need.
lazy?! i spend multiple hours researching any and all release/artists I review prior to beginning my writing. I checked out his discogs page, fb page, the Site record page, listening to clips of his music. And given the fact that he’s only had 1 actual vinyl 12″ prior to this, 3 years ago, i wouldn’t say that his name rolls off the tip of most house/techno djs and listeners’ tongues. besides I prefaced that with “very likely unknown…” i didn’t say he crawled out from under a rock yesterday.
bottom line is the music he produced for this release is red hot.