resurface

The first instalment in the second evs single series has a lot in common with the first one. You get ultra heavy coloured vinyl 7-inch singles containing contemporary electronic music and packaged in a stunning way. This time around however the packaging is a see-through plastic zip bag instead of the multicoloured sealed paper ones. It’s all in the spirit of Expanding Records. First to release is a newcomer to Expanding namely flotel and his first contribution entitled “bowd” and in all aspects soothing piece of music, very mellow, very melodic and very warm. In short it is classic Expandning stuff, in that understated way the usually do things. The flipside contains a remix well-known “Isan” the remix is entitled “timber falls motel” and adds a more acentuated bassline to the song as well as break. The packaging alone makes it worthwhile getting the evs1:03, but it is also the first release sporting the new Expanding logo and last but not least it is piece of quality music at that!

A 7-inch produced by Pavan released on the Swedish Flora & Fauna label. First side’s “Norra Kvarken” offers a funky piece of electronica with a lo-fi leaning selection of sounds and an associative melody. It’s quite an addictive track. Flip the heavy vinyl 7-inch for “Default Deluxe’s” dubbed-out washes of bass alongside glitches to go around. It’s slow moving, atmospheric and slightly melancholic 21st century electronic dub at its finest.

The duo is adding to their release list with this second release, the first ever was naturally “Viva Fab!” as FAB on our very own Electronic Desert Recordings. They also appear on the newly released (Feb 2003) compilation CD Sand Waves Sector One also on Electronic Desert Recordings. Solid beats, nicely played bassline and a playful melody starts of this Frank and Bill 7-inch. The opening track “MA01″ is followed by MA02’s simply excellent rhythmic compositions fused with expertly chosen sounds, creating a fantastic and forward moving track. “MA03″ features more solid rhythmic constructions alongside tremendous basslines and very nice melody on top. The track auto-deconstructs itself and reassembles again and yes it is fantastic! The final and fourth track MA04 contains high-octane beats and a melody with toy like characteristics and ends this beautiful 7-inch delivered by Frank and Bill and released by high-quality label Merck. The actual order of the songs on the 7-inch is different from the order that is presented in this review, but well-informed sources claim that in order to maximize the listening experience the songs should be played according to their numbering… and who am I to argue with that?

Lovely see-through 7-inch from n5MD featuring Proem on one side and Lackluster’s remix effort on the other. “Standard Naming Convention” is a warm beat-filled atmospheric track with some really nice drum programming and choice of sounds. The track is house influenced without falling in to the obvious traps and reminiscent of L’Usine’s take on things. Lackluster’s remix reinforces the house influences and adds cleverly played harmonies and flute creating a floating atmosphere, nicely done!

Stendec from Expanding Records on Static Caravan! A lovely two-track see-through 7″, free of directions created artwork and all-around nice packaging. The guitar sample sets the analogue feel of “pyat” which is the first track on the single. The straight forward programmed beats and the choice of sounds to build melody works fine. The ending contains some very electronic sounds and creates a nice contrast to the above-mentioned sample. The other side’s “auchinek” is a low-key track with some really nice sounds and gentle beats carefully carrying the track forward, in combination with the underlying sound structure you’ve got a classic in the making. Furthermore these two tracks also clearly demonstrates the uniqueness of Stendec and indirectly of both the represented Expanding and Static Caravan labels as well.