There are few artists that make what Heinrich Dressel does, rich movie score pieces of electro. The tracks are drenched in analogue depth, echoing the Arp and Moog moods of John Carpenter, mixed with some of the edge of giallo films and vintage fiat engines
[Purchase | Listen] Heinrich Dressel is back to his home label, MinimalRome, with his latest outing: Vicolo Cieco. Dressel, aka Valerio Lombardozzi aka Composite Profuse, is steeped in cinematic electronics, echoing the sounds of Goblin and John Carpenter. With Vicolo Cieco Dressel continue down this path of stark and sinister electronics.
The 12” opens with “Bidoni 1977.” To any listener with an eye for movies, and an ear for soundtracks, Ennio Morricone’s theme to The Thing immediately springs to mind. But, the stark opening bass is built on with clean chords entering the equation. The tone of the track is strongly linked with the dense analogue soundtracks of the 1980s, yet the beats come straight from the electro line. “Assalto a Campo Boario,” a title that could easily have “Precinct 13” in its make up, is a measured piece of electro. The beats are balanced alongside broad sweeping synthlines, reminiscent of Dressel’s Strange Life material. “Fugo da Fossombrone” is a much darker work, with zombies and wide eyed slashers lurking in the mists of drum machine and synth before the frenzy begins. “Vicolo Cieco” is the track that sits furthest outside of the soundtrack influences, being more a piece of well structured electro. The tempo is low and sheathed, but the unease that stalks throughout the album is undeniably present. Legowelt is drafted in to bring the 12” to a close with his take on the title piece. Wolfers adds more of a dancefloor aspect to the track, employing a stronger beat structure and injecting some new sepulchral undertones. In some respects the sound is reminiscent of Wolfers’ Squadro Blanco material, in its methodical manner and steady drum constructs.
There are few artists that make what Heinrich Dressel does, rich movie score pieces of electro. The tracks are drenched in analogue depth, echoing the Arp and Moog moods of John Carpenter, mixed with some of the edge of giallo films and vintage fiat engines. In this swirl of synth sound is an element of dancefloor friendliness, allowing the the able Dj to drop these diverse texts into the right narrative. MinimalRome further cementing their status as one of the best electro labels today.
Vicolo Cieco is out now on MinimalRome. [Purchase | Listen]
