- Like the first CD you bought, like the first comic book you read, or like the first kiss you ever had, it’s always a memorable one. Vincent Casanova’s new label, Subtropical Records has commenced with an interesting EP by Haruko Sari’s In Touch.
Arrivals, the teaser that opens the EP reminds you of ancient Future Sound of London with the gentle ambient-side of Moby. Slow, temperamental builds; going from high-to-low, creating space, and ambience to calm the mind; Brian Eno continues to influence new generations of music producers. Listening, you soon find that the hypnotic soundscapes keeps your ears in place – opening them in an enlightening way.
Remember a few years ago, and Charlie May released “Technodubfest,” the free CD given away with the Ministry of Sound magazine (yes, MOS was still good for something) and you heard loads of dubby techno joints. Well, the second track off the EP has the same aroma as the compilation. Clutching lots of metallic melodies, bizarre electronic soundscapes, and bouncy rhythms, Bye Bye fits that very moody atmosphere. Abstract in an afterhours kind of way, it compliments the first track quite nicely as a home listening enhancer.
The final piece is the closest to working in a traditional dance mix. A touch of retro synths over a breakbeat makes Juice, a fun track to play. It doesn’t straw too far from its funky breaks and boppy rhythms, but it still sounds a bit dated. Most of the EP does in fact, as you could imagine most of this being created during the early days of ambient techno. Nonetheless, it’s still worth a good listen.
Though each of the three tracks are a bit shorter than expected, fears not, as these three tracks are not the typical dance cuts to destroy the club; in fact, I couldn’t see anyone play the EP to make people dance. Instead, it sounds as though this was created for the home and the headphones to enjoy. With Haruko Sari’s EP, it looks to be defining what Subtropical Records will be and is all about.