P-Ben is a producer and DJ from the South of France, and some of the Mediterranean-facing warmth comes through on ‘Influence’, his debut long player. He is clearly well schooled in house and techno of the Chicago and Detroit variety, and here he has come up with a really satisfying album. With not much padding, he uses a relatively minimal approach that is both confident and punchy, packed with great basslines and riffs. The brooding soundscape and broken beat of ‘Fifteen Years’ work well, while ‘Old Soul Music’ develops into a ‘90s piano-fuelled stomper. Meanwhile ‘Analog Trip’ is minimal and percussive, while the stark keyboard lines of ‘Ultimate’ dance against the wavy backing. Well worth investigating for techno heads.
