Beyond the lengthy starts is a myriad of analogue sounds, a complexity and a richness. I-Land Beat is as much armchair as it is DJ mix.
The small islands around Britain are popular holiday destinations. As the blue skies, or less grey, arrive hordes of ruddy faced and white bodied Brits descend on these seasoned isles. The Isle of Man, known for its rugged landscape, the Isle of Wight for its history and wildlife. One thing the latter island is not known for is electronic music. From this surprising locale comes I-Land Beat with his first release, Cybernautics is just out on Madrid’s Frigio Records.
To get things underway is the title track. “Cybenautics & Neuro-Antics” meanders through a web of beats and padded toms. Slowly it creeps before the melody reveals a depth and subtlety that belie the terse drum machine. The mechanical rhythms run counter to the organic undercurrents, a style that continues into “Sixtynine.” I-Land Beat combines the clinical sounds of electro with the warmth of analogue Techno. Burbling acid lines stalk the backdrop, writhing under the tight snares. “Back2Basic5” retreats to the machinery. An assortment of 707, 808 and 909 beats traverse a reduced Electro track. The finale, “Peamlb3”, maintains the minimal notes and clipped beats. But, as in its predecessors, there is a depth coming from the Techno traditions of Detroit and the UK.
I-Land Beat gives a deceptive debut. On dropping the needle, the listener could be forgiven for wondering where this is going. Beats dominate the intros despotically. But, wait. Beyond the lengthy starts is a myriad of analogue sounds, a complexity and a richness. I-Land Beat is as much armchair as it is DJ mix. Comparisons come from fellow Iberian imprints like Semantica and Transhuman or some of the sounds of Cultivated Electronics. Mature and accomplished, an excellent debut.
Cybernautics EP is available on Frigio.
[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/48071734″ width=”100%” height=”166″ params=”auto_play=false&show_artwork=false&color=000000″ iframe=”true” /]
