Over the last few years has seen a wave of dark murky distorted House. Labels like Crème, L.I.E.S. and Bunker have created a platform for these black and introspective Chicago mutations. One of the standout starlets of the scene is Nigel Rogers (aka Perseus Traxx). The UK artist has released a spread of coarse 808 brutes on imprints like Bunker, M>O>S> and his own Future Flash. It is to Future Flash that Rogers returns with his new single sided two tracker.
Rogers introduces a new moniker to open, Operator Tracey. “Nothing To Do With Us” featured in Rogers’ Boiler Room session and in a mix from Crème Organization’s DJ TLR. The track ducks and weaves from the outset, staggered drum patterns building into full bodied 4/4. Interestingly, samples of a recent interview with Derrick May are utilized. The Detroit godfather comments on a recent Rolling Stone magazine piece on EDM, May pouring scorn on the historical and air-headed genre. Squalid and unapologetically dusty from the Englishman. Rogers follows up under his familiar Perseus Traxx pseudonym with “Across The North Sea.” Rolling snare aggression is coupled with tough bass and galvanized melodies. The production is again hazy, softening the impact of forceful claps and 303 squeal.
Rogers adds to his ever growing catalog with these two fine offers.
But I have a bee in my bonnet about single-sided vinyl, and always will. Future Flash has focused on two tracker format since its outset, and it would be nice to see the label move on to double sided outings. Nothing To Do With Us / Across The North Sea are both excellent tracks, but the price of two tracks on wax, coupled with postage, could easily put listeners off. True, it’s, of course, a limited press and there is a digital version; but could there not be more to the flip-side?
Don’t change the sound, don’t change the energy, change the B-Side; or lack thereof.
Nothing To Do With Us / Across The North Sea is available on Future Flash.
