On hearing Cognition it is clear that it’s the art and not the tools which are most important. This is probably the best I’ve ever heard from the Stingray 313 moniker, and the jaw dropping reinterpretation from Kon001 puts this release above and beyond.
I haven’t covered Sherard Ingram, aka DJ Stingray aka Urban Tribe, since F.T.N.W.O on WeMe, that was back in 2012. Since then the Electro veteran has gone into output overdrive with a host of 12”s on labels like Unknown to the Unknown, TSAR and recently Bleep43. He’s also been collaborating, forming NRSB-11 with Penelope Martin of ArD2. Such levels of productivity sees the Michigan man debuting on Athens’ Lower Parts with Cognition under his DJ Stingray 313 mask.
Thud and spiking wet snares introduce “Acetylcholine.” A building energy supports the opener, levels rising before blooming into a delicate and warm piece. DJ Stingray is known for harsh fast sounds but “Acetylcholine” has all the markings of smouldering techno. Powerful striding chords are reigned in to harness such sonic strength into a stunning track. Tempos rise for “Dendrite.” The track, initially, appears like a marauding beast full of fervor but that industrial animalism is tapered as emotion courses. “eRbB4” keeps percussion pulsing but the track sidesteps the dancefloor. Instead the Detroit man delivers an evocative, meandering cut. And this is something Ingram achieves across the 12”, the difficult balance between cold brittle sounds and deeper lush tones. The last track comes from an unknown entity, unknown to me anyway. But I want to know more on hearing the remix. Kon001 does much more than an impressive job on “eRbB4”, it outdoes the original. Involving and inviting the remake is absolutely superb. Definitely an artist I will be looking out for.
I read recently that Ingram has moved his studio to a totally digital set-up. Such news might warrant sharp in-takes of breath from some; but not from me. On hearing Cognition it is clear that it’s the art and not the tools which are most important. This is probably the best I’ve ever heard from the Stingray 313 moniker, and the jaw dropping reinterpretation from Kon001 puts this release above and beyond.
Cognition is available on Lower Parts.
