- Italians Rio Padice and Massimo Di Lena each have considerable discographies. The Early Sounds co-founders have collaborated before, exploring robust but eccentric house and techno on EPs for Clone Royal Oak and Moreaboutmusic. But this, the first of a pair of EPs for Dekmantel under the name MFO (it's short for Mephisto Frequency Oscillator), seems to mark a new phase in their union. As statements of intent go, it's a very satisfying one. Across the two 12-inches, a broad spectrum of house, techno and double-proof disco is explored with playfulness and a taste for rough edges.
Part 1 is probably the marginally better of the two, mainly due to the presence of "Slow Run In Our Dreams." Like many productions from these two, it's simple, but a single element—in this case, a pensive piano loop—is more than enough grist for the mill. Accentuating the mood is a silken vocal, mostly clipped to a single note, which at the midpoint briefly extends to reveal the phrase, "and longing." The only thing keeping you from drifting into reverie is that sharp-clawed bassline. Elsewhere, "Anti Social Plan" is the sort of loose-limbed house best enjoyed with an ice-cold cocktail. The fact that it appears late in the summer doesn't make the way those chords tug languidly against the beat any less satisfying. Chunky tool "Crisis Zone," meanwhile, offers a more spartan conclusion. Padice and Di Lena are not quite so good at nasty as they are at nice, but they're more than adequately good at both.
TracklistA1 Anti Social Plan
B1 Slow Run In Our Dreams
B2 Crisis Zone