There can always be a bit of trepidation when it comes to young producers, a fear they might start throwing all sorts into the mix. There’s no need to worry with John Heckle and Extrovert/Introvert. The record mirrors classic House but, refreshingly, Heckle adapts other musical aspects and skillfully embeds them into his sound.
House has a few historic bastions. The US is seen as the father, with Chicago, Detroit and New York having the most impact; especially Chicago. The sound emigrated across the globe, with modern House sounds emanating from across Europe and beyond. Liverpool sounds an unlikely home for a contemporary House producer. The post industrial city has a musical past alright, but not for electronics. Nevertheless Merseyside is home to 22 year old John Heckle, who arrived into your local record store on Jamal Moss’ Mathematics Recordings. Heckle’s sound is not straight up House, or Jak. The Scouser combines elements of Detroit Techno but holds true to the vintage feel of House. It’s an immediate endorsement for any artist to be picked up by Mr Moss, but for his latest Heckle has stuck to his homeland and released Extrovert/Introvert on Glasgow’s Tabernacle Records.
Heckle opens his Tabernacle account with the classic House tones of “r136.” The track gives a nostalgic nod to past House producers with its vintage samples and beat structure. The eight minute piece does have a soulful side, with chords playing second to the Chitown influences. The pistons and chimney flues of “My Only Hope” follow. The result is deep Techno track with just a smidgen of the house Influences of “r136.” The flipside opens with the title track, the club piece. “Extrovert/Introvert” is a toothsome piece of Jak. The beats are coarse and fervent whilst an acid line menaces in broad shouldered fashion. Gritty, intense and frenetic, a sweat pourer if there ever was one. For the finale the tempo is lowered but some of the industrial elements remain. “Where Are You Now?” track has a dark haunting quality, amplified by the distortion employed by Heckle.
There can always be a bit of trepidation when it comes to young producers, a fear they might start throwing all sorts into the mix. There’s no need to worry with John Heckle and Extrovert/Introvert. The record mirrors classic House but, refreshingly, Heckle adapts other musical aspects and skillfully embeds them into his sound. The 12” showcases this Liverpudlian’s abilities and potential, both of which will be further explored on his upcoming 2LP on Mathematics Recordings. A strong addition to the Tabernacle catalogue.
John Heckle will perform his debut live set alongside Intergalactic Gary on Saturday July 30th at The Big Joint in Glasgow. More info available here at slabsofthetabernacle.com.
Extrovert/Introvert is out now on Tabernacle.
TABR005 – John Heckle – Extrovert/Introvert E.P. by Tabernacle Records
