Rosa Dos Ventos reflects some of the ideas explored a few years back, acidic grooves still finding their way into this latest outing. However, despite some familiar elements, this latest EP is cut from a quite a different cloth. The glow stick and warehouse energy captured on The Hills has been allowed to mature.
The topic of “best time to release a record” can lead to some fairly hot debate. September to October: people need to cheer themselves up post Summer. Christmas time: presents. New year: new…stuff. Arguably one of the worst times is in the wake of an announcement from one of electronic music’s biggest names, Aphex Twin for example. Such announcements can be arsenic for artists and audiences alike as eyes, ears, lenses and speakers foam at the mouth. Nevertheless, I’ve a feeling Roger Van Lunteren won’t be too worried he’s sharing the limelight with one of machine music’s biggest names.
The Dutch artist has lain low since his excellent The Hills 12” on his homeland’s 030303. Now, some three years later, he is back on vinyl with a four tracker for Nuno Dos Santos’ Something Happening Somewhere. Rosa Dos Ventos reflects some of the ideas explored a few years back, acidic grooves still finding their way into this latest outing. However, despite some familiar elements, this latest EP is cut from a quite a different cloth. The glow stick and warehouse energy captured on The Hills has been allowed to mature. “Vanish” is a clean and understated work. Lonesome synth stabs are coupled with bare beats as arcing notes lend an electronica air of Van Lunteren’s past to the track. “Uncontacted” is an equally subtle piece. The track is completely uncluttered, the Dutch producer sculpting and shaping with only a few sounds and once again allowing his knowledge of IDM composition to blossom. Aroy Dee opens the flip to offer a remix of “Vanish.” The M>O>S stays true to the original, mixing some hi-hats and bass in as well as a good dollop of 303 to add some dancefloor energy. That dollop of 303 is turned into a full shout for the finale. Knobs are jerked right off of panels in the wrenching work of Sunday morning jack, one to leave an audience panting and t-shirts clinging.
Roger Van Lunteren is an intriguing artist. He disappeared after his Tmaeins, an IDM outing of 1999, to then reappear more than fifteen years later with a totally new sound. Rosa Dos Ventos blends the sense of brightness and fun pressed into The Hills while it plumbs the depths of those first steps on Heimelektro Ulm. Rosas Dos Ventos is a wonderfully diverse 12” and one that stands second to none, even the Cornish king of electronics.
Rosa Dos Ventos is available on Something Happening Somewhere.
