The 12” illustrates an ability to draw the listener in. Layers are built with wonderful subtlety, different elements slowly brought together before bombs of beat and bass are dropped.
I was about to write that Benedikt Frey, following his release on MRT, is building up a head of steam. But that would undermine the admirable productivity of this artist. Live At Robert Johnson. Mule Electronic. Love Pain Sunshine & Rain, his own label. Just some of the imprints the German producer has been dishing up his 12”s on. Once you start digging you’ll find that he’s been busy for quite a while, under monikers like Vtothed, Suedmilch and INIT. However, it’s fair to say his recent EP is helping turn more heads.
Trance Unlimited has recently come out on Nous’Klaer Audio. This Dutch label has been around since 2013 and has put out some ear catching music from the likes of Mattheis and Oceanic with Benedikt Frey’s latest seeing a widening of the musical net.
From the rain forests of…Europe(?) comes the primal percussion riches of “Illuvial.” Tribal rhythms are countered by soulful moods while skies darken. The opener lays down the foundations for the entire EP, a record where varied genres melt in an ever changing pot. The title piece refuses definition. Funk filled tones orbit, samples confuse and drums remain steady. The 12” illustrates an ability to draw the listener in. Layers are built with wonderful subtlety, different elements slowly brought together before bombs of beat and bass are dropped. The finale, “Pabulum,” decides the dancefloor has become too much and takes a seat for a breather. BPMs slide down and warm lilting atmospheres enter. Bordering on soundtrack with cascading arpeggios and thick fuzzed pads, the track shows another side of this multifaceted artist as a deep and brooding curtain close is delivered.
I’m new to Benedikt Frey. There may be some out there knitting brows at this but there ya go. I’m new to him but I’m impressed. He’s got a way of constructing tracks, of creating club sounds but clever ones. There’s a depth and intelligence to his compositions which are further re-enforced by a refreshing choice of drum patterns. I might be new to Benedikt Frey but that gives a chance to scour his back catalog now, something after hearing Trance Unlimited I plan to.
Trance Unlimited is out via Nous’Klaer and available at Juno.
