Outright fluidity is not the product, rather a robust and wavering work of pierced percussion and murky melody.
Sequencias has really come into its stride of late. The NY imprint started well back in 2011 and has excelled since. 2013 has seen JM De Frias’ imprint bring the likes of Jamal Moss, The Healing Force Project and Metropolis to vinyl. Now it’s time for the boss to step from the shadows and show us what’s he’s got, musically that is. De Frias is teaming up with the like-minded figured of D’Marc Cantu for I Have No Eyes, And I Must See.
The three tracker is interestingly divided. First up is D’Marc Cantu, fresh from his superb outing with Forbidden Planet. “The Lost Tribe” sees a return the Dcantu alias, last used on Sequencias back in 2011—the track is sand-boarded House. Warm 303 lines are tweaked as Dcantu delivered a fast and dreamy piece of Chitown. Beats and samples stagger weary eyed into a late night dancefloor brew. JM De Frias is up next. Sequencias’ boss builds his first vinyl entry slowly. Tumbling toms meet opaque waves of sound. Classic clap patterns are soon introduced. Bars are sent skyward. De Frias weaves headier and headier tones, the track tethered by beats but drifting for the heavens. D’Marc Cantu is no stranger to collaboration, having worked extensively with the likes of J.T.C. and Traxx. I Have No Eyes, And I Must See witnesses the forging of a new partnership. The finale sees Cantu and De Frias come together for “The Last Light.” 4/4 beats are the support base from which the duo construct a deep and layered piece of machine music. A warming work to end the night.
Sequencias has had quite a transformative year. House is still a central theme of the imprint, but other aural aspects are being investigated. I Have No Eyes, And I Must See is focused on the traditions of the Chicago, but the arrangements leave aside some of the mechanical heaviness. Outright fluidity is not the product, rather a robust and wavering work of pierced percussion and murky melody. The first in what will hopefully be a productive Cantu and De Frias partnership.
I Have No Eyes, And I Must See is available on Sequencias.
