Inigo Kennedy, Distant Circles [Asymmetric – ASY MP3 020, 2011]

‘Distant Circles’ is the fresh start for the New Year on Inigo Kennedy’s Asymmetric label and the twentieth MP3 release (JAN 2011). And like it’s predecessor this EP consists of five exceedingly well-produced electronic pieces and once more epic techno tracks.

In sequential order; starting with ‘Albedo’, a big drum track with some subtleties, pure techno if that is even a valid term these days, a track that stretches back in time, with the big exception that the sound quality was very different at the time (no one would have known.) Tempo is most definitely up! (Maybe, just maybe drum’n’bass has something to do with that tempo change in music the past decade or so?)

‘Caverns’ has beautiful and classic build up (you need the time to play the intro though) and progresses along a pathway of good things, bass and added musical complexity and yes, the steppers can find their way as well, given they can survive the massive break! Rest assured the drum returns… in my inner vision I can see that build-up effect in all it’s beauty, the hesitation and I can also indeed see all the smiles! The drum is BIG, but so are the breaks. In one word sonic effectiveness!

This could very well be the most interesting track of them all, on Inigo Kennedy’s “Distant Circles” namely, ‘Skedaddle’ a hybrid of styles, but with a breakbeat focus that simply can’t be missed. And being produced by Inigo Kennedy there just has to be an individual twist and there most definitely is! It is a very effective track and in some senses a bridge between all the things that are well produced these days and that still remain in the up-tempo sphere (a lot of production excursions have taken the path down the BPM ladder rather than up). Kennedy, as renowned techno producer on the other hand has chosen, until now more or less unknown middle ground in ‘Skedaddle’ and it’s all to great effect! I really, really wish this track will crossover.

‘Jupiter’ is a techno banger with soul, BIG drums fused with sounds to keep you interested and most likely overwhelmed if on the floor (given the sound system is actually there). In my mind this is very close to the definition of ‘Techno’ music (whatever that may be). Finally I suspect that the title of the song doesn’t entirely reference the celestial body, but hey, it’s just my personal observation/suspicion.

The fifth and last track is entitled ‘Disorder’ and it concludes the ‘Distant Circles’ EP in an orderly way, and yet it is something different altogether. The setting is different and so is the track’s overall mood. Lushes of atmospheric sounds accompany the beats. Actually it is similar to the closing track on the previous release and it also stands as vivid reminder of just how good electronic music can be.

‘Distant Circles’ is available as free download from asymmetric and so are all of the previous releases.