- London's Sans Absence label, self-described as "percussion-fuelled," says it's all about the drums. But since it launched in 2016, its releases have just as often been about the things on top. Much like the Blunted Robots crew—Sans Absence released a set of lost Martin Kemp tracks last year—their approach to UK funky is to add detail, melody and variation. The same goes for founder Akito's Turbo Blues EP, an ambitious cocktail of scuffed synthesis and fiddly multi-part arrangements. But he often focuses on these higher-order elements at the expense of the basics, namely a sharp mixdown and a solid core idea.
Which isn't to say that this EP is a dud. "Fallout Factory," for instance, is an arresting mosaic of sharp snares and clap tattoos. (OK, this one really is about the drums.) "Spiral Sequence" has the EP's starkest, and best, idea in the form of a screwy melody that gives the groove a madcap bounce. But both tracks have a slightly flat feeling, as if Akito hasn't fully cashed in his ideas. Elsewhere, "Cherry Bisous" has the most detailed arrangement, but it often feels crowded rather than complex. The shorter closer, "Carry On Comedown," is a promising but half-developed collision of gaseous synth stabs and abrasive drums.
Tracklist01. Cherry Bisous
02. Fallout Factory
03. Spiral Sequence
04. Carry On Comedown