bass clef: bugbranded

Long-time wielder of the modular-flame, Ralph Cumbers has a distinguished CV for the likes of Punch Drunk and his own Magic+Dreams imprint. Here, across four extended sequences he shines, taking the crystalline drive and coarse groove of the acclaimed Reeling Skullways LP into hotwired groove zones. 'Sometimes the only way out is to go further in' starts the trip. Take care dear listener; once you're in track one, you may not want to escape from its grip, its cyclical riffs, its space dust licks, its buttered bass notes. Then, the sadness. The mournful minor key shuffle of 'elsewhen' is sheer blue-note Blade Runner melancholy. Then, the euphoria. Instant gratification hits you on 'faster than the speed of love' a click-pump-click-pump kick surrounded by jagged sawtones, straight to the chest. Through swirling, speed-addled melodies Clef then leads us - Detroit nights under Hackney sodium lights. Then, to a breath. Bugbranded arrives at an all too premature end with 'neon black and vulcane' a glistening collage of white noise splash, acidic whispers and head-nod-chug. This is techno how it was dreamed in Belleville, re-imagined by a genius with a synth or three. In Clef we trust, for all our magic and dreams. Limited edition of 500 in debossed house sleeve, individually hand numbered.