- Who knew John Daly had such a chilly side? Best known for his warm house cuts on labels like Wave Music and Drumpoet Community, the Irishman has given few indications something like "Escape" was hidden inside him. But then, that's what monikers are for. Presumably, this brand-new project, TSC, is set to act the Hyde to Daly's Jekyll.
The main mix of "Escape" feels more like techno than house, being possessed with a Conforce-like sense of space and luminosity. It's also incredibly patient, the track's wonky bassline and cavernous claps sounding off only at the barest intervals necessary to constitute rhythm. Its icy pads and bells are similarly composed, changing pitch only every so often. When the break hits, their elegant dance seems to go forever. But perhaps that's just wishful thinking.
As is the tradition on Daly's One Track Records, the rest of the 12-inch is given over to derivatives of the initial cut. The first is a four-minute dub, which strips out most of the melodic elements. Surprisingly, it's still engaging, saying as much with the absence of sound as the main mix did with it. The second is simply sub-titled "rhythm," and emphasises the curt Roland snares which featured less prominently in the original.
Tracklist A Escape (Main)
B1 Escape (Dub)
B2 Escape (Rhythm)