dices + aem: thoughtstream

Ltd repress. Recorded in St. Petersburg over the course of 2015, this first release on Glasgow based imprint 12th Isleis a collaborative effort between Dices & АЭМ Ритм-Каскад (aka Flaty/Dada Ques), affiliates of the Udacha and Gost Zvuk record labels. Titled 'Мыслепоток' (Thoughtstream), the LP eschews trend in favour of meaningful sonic discovery, and in doing so offers as much to the adventurous DJ as it does the attentive home listener. Side A encompasses ambient synth textures reminiscent of ‘70s-era library music, established upon rhythms that evoke turn of the century Detroit house. At once melancholic and playfully optimistic, the six tracks range from rhythmic experiments to sketch-like beatless vignettes. The flip side sets off in a slightly darker tone that is succeeded with pace and persistence in the drum patterns and winding arpeggiated bassline of “Caleidoscope”. Alongside the heavily swung “Hologram”, these tracks are very club considerate; a function that in no way offsets the records assured narrative purpose. Across both A and B the music maintains this singular intent, channelling aspects of early sequence-based electronics and vintage space rock around a diverse and playful compendium of rhythms.