Release:
Realms of Passage E.P.
Label:
Merkaba Music
Released:
23rd March
Valentin
Santana has studied tribal percussion and classical violin since he
was 5, as the sole writer and producer behind DISSØLV
(a high energy live group which combines live instrumentation with
electronic dance music) he has performed along-side heavyweights such
as Sphongle and Infected Mushroom. This latest release has changed
direction with the focus aimed at exploring areas of mid-tempo
concious bass music rather than continuing with their psy-trance and
dub-step roots.
The
E.P. begins with 'Oracle Iris' a slow melodic number layered over
natural field recordings, with areas filled with deep bass
injections, tribal percussion, eastern vocal stabs and elongated
ambient breakdowns. For me it contains all the right ingredients but
fails to hit the spot.
This
is followed by 'Royaltea' which opens in an orchestral manner and although
the piece is melodic in places it also takes the bass deeper in
others. Filled with low horn sounds, gritty twists and Arabic synth
sequences it's certainly holding my interest more than the opening
track.
'Ascending
Sun' is a contrasting track that toys with twitchy deep bass and hip-hop
vocal stabs, then drifts into more uplifting chilled dub with a
mellow vocal hook that overlaps more and more frequently as the track
progresses.
The
e.p. closes with 'Entanglement' where the bassline chugs along nicely
with occasional deep bass rips nestled amongst melodic keys and
rolling layered synth sequences.
To
summarise, This new direction works efficiently as a studio
production. However, as a live perfomance I guess some of the energy of the act will
be lost, replaced with speaker shaking bass (which may well work for some). Overall it's not a bad
release but for me 'Royaltea' is definitely the stand out track.
Review
by Woodzee.
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