Amazing to think that Ritchie Hawtin started Plus 8 in 1990 and it’s still one of the most respected labels in the world. Hardly surprising when it’s EPs like this audaciously-original gem from the mysterious Midwest producer which have steadily maintained the label’s name for forward-pointing techno that rarely fails to blow mind, body and bollocks. ‘Lost Wages’ takes minimal to a percussive extreme by setting up and mutating a succession of resonating pulses which rise in intensity while applying subtle gear changes in rhythm and patterns. ‘Raw Gambonbozia’ sees huge whale-scrotum bass join the fray flicked with ruler-twanging swishes which dogfight and rattle around the intricate percussive prodding, occasionally rising to a noise rather like a mouse tapping his cheek with a ruler. ‘Like Stigmergy’ uncorks clicky masturbating stick insect momentum with big woodblock and ethereal flourishes overhead while ‘In Vacuo’ is the big one: a haunting soundscape underpinned by Earth’s core bass which ushers in a wall of siren wails, alien squeals and rising noise terror made all the more darker by subliminal voices. Once again Plus 8 redefine and propel forward the form they were in at the beginning in starting.
5 Out Of 5
Reviewed By: Kris Needs