[Sistrum Recordings]

In its six years of operation, Patrice Scott’s Sistrum Recordings has become a by-word for quality deep techno and house music. As well as providing an outlet for his own material, it has played home to producers like Leonid, XDB and Specter, who have all reinforced the musical mission statement laid out by Scott since the earliest releases. Scott’s curation of the label plays a big part in this, for the most part keeping a core group of artists who fit his vision as regular contributors, occasionally introducing a new name to the fold. The second EP in the Aphotic Segments series — the first was released in March 2011 — brings together two artists new to the label with an offering from Scott as well.

Chris Mitchell doesn’t yet have many credits to his name, but his gently pulsating “Brisk City” shows all the signs of an accomplished producer. The staccato patter of his hi-hats and affected snares button down the abstracted, evolving chords, helped along by a long, winding bass line. Scott’s own track, “M.F.D.T.” plays with rising and falling elements, simplistic in part but incredibly effective when all put together. A damaged piano descends down the scale, accompanied by deep-mining bass and plaintive pads. If it weren’t for the addition of further pads giving a celestial feel to the track, and a simple three-note, rising melody “M.F.D.T.” would come across as a gloomy affair. Instead, it portrays what so many effective Detroit producers do well: giving a sense of hope, a flicker of light in the darkness. Though the first two tracks ably hold their own, Tony Ollivierra, perhaps better known by his Ibex moniker, produces the real stand-out of the EP. His “Prophetic Light” marches with an almost militant step due to his masterful drum programming. Applying all sorts of studio trickery to the drums, they are stretched, distorted and echoed off into the distance before being returned to tighten up the rhythm again. The Sistrum releases are always ones to watch out for, but if you don’t have any of them in your collection, Aphotic Segments Part Two should definitely be near the top of your list.