(June 2010) Few cities can throw up more polar opposite images than Detroit and Zurich. The former depicts grit, grime and hardship, the latter being rated one of the top three cities in the world to live. A new label, based in the Swiss capital, is bringing these two disparate metropolises together for their first release: Lux Records. The fledgling imprint is the brainchild of DJ duo Cosmo and Faber. The pair have been mixing their way across Europe for several years, being favourites on the Cybernetic Broadcasting System and now Intergalactic FM. For their first outing the now label bosses have set their sights on a Michigan based artist with a growing reputation, Jared Wilson.
This is the second release that Wilson has put out beyond the pressings on his 7777 label. Acid lines and Detroit have been the central themes of Wilson’s sound, and this focus runs into his latest EP: The Rise and Fall of the Machines (Part 1.) “Night Sky Jpeg” hits the listeners ears first, with Wilson serving up a phat helping of dancefloor techno. The track has a playfulness to it, brash chords building to a crescendo of sharp synth melodies with an uptempo beat. A powerful opener with an addictive jack quality to it. “Jupiter One” follows on the flip. The tones are lowered with laid back bars shifting under 808 and 909 beats. Some nice acidic lines squirm their way through the track, with snares growing and retracting through the grooves. The EP ends with “Lap Jack,” coming to life with piano house chords and superb paddy basslines.
The majority of Wilson’s releases to date have had an innate rawness to them, embellished through squalid 303’s and 808’s. The Rise and Fall of the Machines (Part 1) has a much more polished aspect. It is an EP that sees the meeting of Detroit and Zurich in the terms of production. Alden Tyrell is behind the mastering, parring some of the Wilson’s jaggedness to leave a rounded piece of contemporary Detroit techno. A good start for Lux Records and another feather in Mr. Wilson’s cap.
The Rise and Fall of the Machines (Part 1) is out now on Lux.
