Italy’s Matteo Esse and Sant, who in their six years as a team have worked with names including DJ Pierre and Arman Van Helden while making their debut on Southern Fried, have hurled out a five-track corker here which should mark them as a pair to watch. They have obviously dunked themselves in steaming vats of classic Detroit techno and modern cutting-edge foragers like Radio Slave but, crucially, emerge with a sound of their own. The lead cut eases in on gentle electronic pulses somewhat recalling early 90s Frankfurt, before a warm, multi-layered groove lopes in leading the track into some heavenly synth melodies. The atmospheric ‘Before The Wind’ drapes Motor City textures over grunting trouser-beats and extra-terrestrial melodies while the melancholy ‘Nothing Is Distant’ builds gradually to a deep, electronic chug topped with gorgeous intertwining synth-swells before the subterranean pulses of ‘Follow The Footprints’ again echo the timeless techno sound of the last decade. Finally, ‘Sudden Impulse’ whips up a sparse groove with malevolent bass and intricate percussion before spacey melodies enter while the beat goes sporting a variety of underwear. Well worth checking out for devotees of the 90s floor-burn and early hours delirium.
4 Out Of 5
Reviewed By: Kris Needs
