This relatively unknown artist has crafted four cuts of cracking machine funk. Tracks are cast in jagged shapes and smooth surfaces, the style expertly toes the line between frigid mechanics and floor funk. A definite find from Kid Ginseng’s label.
During the summer I managed to catch up with Neud Photo here in Madrid. I sampled squid with the Kraftjerkz stalwart and stayed up till the wee hours discussing music and everything in between.
Now with the winter months fading and the thermometer steadily rising a thought struck me, what is Kraftjerkz up to?
I hadn’t covered anything from the US label for a while, and for no good reason. 2016 saw a compilation from the Croatian miscreants of Pannoia Noir as well as some techno girth from J Slusher. And it seems 2017 is beginning with the Kraftjerkz go to sound, electro.
Maroje T has little of a discography to his name, a sole release on Chem Records, but he’s not letting a lack of reputation discourage him. Anaphase serves up four pieces of no nonsense machine music. The Kraftwerkian “Body Exit” gets the electricity flowing, burbled bleep and iced chords knifed by razor edge rhythms. “Sleepy Hollow” delves into the murkier depths of the circuitboards, pads loom as slender bars recede. An electrofunk seam runs through the 12”, coming to a head in the snapping percussion and lilting melody of “Lapetus.” Beats come crashing in for the finale. The effortless synthwork that characterizes Anaphase is at the root of “Photosphere.” Keys are both fragile and strong, supported by sheer lines and a powerful groove.
Electro has enjoyed an enviable resurgence, yet it can still be difficult for a newcomer to penetrate the genre’s hard outer shell. Followers of the frosted sound are fierce critics and the slightest slip can see the would-be thrown to the wolves. Maroje T has little to worry about. This relatively unknown artist has crafted four cuts of cracking machine funk. Tracks are cast in jagged shapes and smooth surfaces, the style expertly toes the line between frigid mechanics and floor funk. A definite find from Kid Ginseng’s label.
Anaphase is available on Kraftjerkz. [Purchase]
