Italian label, Basica, has long championed house music of a soulful and techy persuasion, and their latest signing is much more of the same in that regard. That said, when done right that’s no bad thing, and the lead protagonists here don’t let the side down one iota with their debut outing on the label. And this is a two-tracker that doesn’t mess around. Instead, it gets straight down to business with a quite literally alarming sound central to all that’s great on ‘The Message’. Tech-house of a quality-strewn edge, the many layers combine here excellently, and while the level of suspense is almost tangible in parts, by the time the track does find its feet, it’s a frankly barnstorming listen that’ll most defintely proverbially do the damage wherever it’s let out of its cage. ‘Skips’ is another lighthearted, albeit slightly off-kilter track. Again, its atmospheric ramblings are central to its thoughts, as it shimmies with a real purpose. Its many synthetic leanings help matters become gradually more frenzied, and while both tracks are probably tools rather than showstoppers, there’s a rich quality to them both which makes them worthy of your attention. On this evidence, Basica and Hank & Deck’s relationship is one which is set to continue for some time yet.
