As for Element: Earth, this first outing has set the bar high with a 12” that displays the breadth and depth of the ever mutating style that is pigeonholed as electro but, as we all know, is much much more. Based on this first release, I’ve a feeling this will be a label to keep a close ear on.
An enviable fringe masks his face, long dark hair hiding all but one flashing eye and a stubbled chin. On the stage is Dmitry Distant at Femur Fest here in Madrid. A musician who has been building up a head of electro steam over the last five years, Mr Distant has featured on labels like Bass Agenda Recordings, In The Dark Again and Return to Disorder. The Russian artist has found a style that meshes elements of cold wave and electro with a stern northern slant. Now a new challenge awaits, the move from musician to label boss.
A quality cohort has been gathered for the inaugural 12” of Electronic Leatherette. Element: Earth collects an assortment that balances veterans of the scene with newcomers. Immediately two names leap from the back sleeve, Franck Kartell and Heinrich Dressel. Kartell has been spinning musical gold on Bass Agenda with his trio of albums, La Jetée d’Orly, Coincidences and Alaska, all getting some serious repeat playings in the Geoghegan household. “Sigma Octantis” adopts some the chill and coldness of that final album. Clean and fresh lines breeze through sodden pads and fragile beats as a watery sun dawns on this beautifully delicate track. Likewise, Heinrich Dressel has maintained enviable form with his blend of electronica, soundtrack scores and ambient textures, for well over a decade now. Here the Minimal Rome boss delivers “Down Upsight.” Rhythms form a moving body from which strings set sails. Bitter sweet, melodies soar and sweep in a what can only be described as a superb piece of music. Vessel in Distress has a less prolific discography than the two predecessors, but this up and coming artist shines with muted and subtle atmospherics of “Transponder.” A track of haunting quality, this new name reduces rhythms to mere clicks to accentuate the ghostly harmonies MSRG is an unreleased artist from Russia, debuting with “Elliptical Wave.” A moody melody sets the tone, aquatic rinses float on burbling bass lines in a track of simmering reduction.
I managed to have a few gargled tobacco stained words with Dmitry Distant after his superb set at Femur, though I must admit our conversation is a little hazy. For anyone looking for more concrete insight into the artist and the founding of the label, the excellent Terminal 313 sat down with him recently for a chinwag full of detail. As for Element: Earth, this first outing has set the bar high with a 12” that displays the breadth and depth of the ever mutating style that is pigeonholed as electro but, as we all know, is much much more. Based on this first release, I’ve a feeling this will be a label to keep a close ear on.
Element: Earth is available Electronic Leatherette.
