D.O.C. is quite different to its predecessors with a very playful side of the Planet Love project on display. The influences of Italy and piano house are plain to hear, as is the inspiration of the bleep scene.
An energizing work unfolds
For the last three years, return_backspace has been dedicated to rediscovering and releasing the music of Marco Repetto under his Planet Love guise. To date, The Hague based imprint has brought unheard works from the Italian artist to life through the Adamha and New Era EP’s. Now the final instalment of this audio triptych is landing in record stores: D.O.C..
Like its siblings, three tracks make up the 12” with the title piece opening the proceedings. Orbiting bleep gives way to fizzing percussion and euphoric piano lines as an energizing work unfolds. The boundaries between house and techno are blurred in this bright and enthusiastic piece, in fact the two styles are toyed with across the EP. Clean drum patterns are the foundation on which Repetto builds grand melodies with “Technicolor Dream.” Once more, piano keys are fundamental with rich pads balancing the piece. And this is something found across the three tracks of on offer, a balance being found between heady melodies and muted undercurrents. The record closes with “The Last Realm of Magic.” Samples open before a barrage of beat and bleep arrive. At first you’d be forgiven for thinking this might be something akin to Forgemasters, but, as with things Repetto, first impressions can be deceptive. True, there is a serious groove running through the entire piece with keyboard stabs and driving rhythms. Yet, there is much more to this with snare rolls leading the listener down new avenues and ideas.
D.O.C. is quite different to its predecessors with a very playful side of the Planet Love project on display. The influences of Italy and piano house are plain to hear, as is the inspiration of the bleep scene. Despite these differences, what links this last record in the series to Adamha and New Era is Repetto’s ability to bend genres and lead the listener into unknown terrain. A wonderful close to this project and here’s hoping there may still be more to come.
D.O.C. is available on return_backspace. [Bandcamp]
