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With „Who’s to Blame“, Vienna based Producer Martin Stepanek a.k.a. MSTEP continues his path through the more abstract, deeper rims of the hardcore continuum he already begun with „Patterns in a Dubmatic Field Vol. 1“ (Sounding Functions #2), „Patterns in a Dubmatic Field, Vol.2“ (on Phlox Records) and last Years „Hyperbolic / Disco Queens“ (Sounding Functions #5).
Whereas the two releases comprising the „Patterns in a Dubmatic Field“ Series (a somewhat tongue-in-cheek reference to a famous composition by the american composer Morton Feldman) unfolded around MSTEPs interest in the soundworlds sketched out by artists like Pinch, Shackleton, Martyn, Kode9, Mala and others, the following „Hyperbolic / Disco Queens“ Release marked a turning to soundscapes influenced by drum & bass and jungle.
On the present Release „Who‘s to Blame“, this route is driven further, expanded and deepened in 4 Tracks, loosely influenced by the output of labels like Exit Records, Ingredients and Narratives, or Acts like Instra:Mental, Genotype, Skeptical, Abstract Elements and ASC. But before being in any way a cover of sonic texts already laid out by others, this release is a bold statement in marking it's own position in a field of experimentation stretching between techno, dubstep and drum & bass. Starting with the cold, melancholic Title Track „Who‘s to Blame“ MSTEP builds up his own story, telling the ups and downs of british breakbeat music in 85 bpm (from Unique3’s „The Theme“ to the Genres unholy annexation through acts like Skrillex or Diplo) fusing Detroit Electro, Dubstep and Drum & Bass. Continuing with „Work Up“ the EP dugs deeper into Drum & Bass territory to find it-s core in a refreshing combination of Pads and Textures reminiscent of A Guy Called Gerald, with Beats that alter between a more old-school-jungle oriented approach and it‘s newer abstracted drum & bass variant.
To Round Things up „Mimicry“ complements the EP with an unusual combination of jazzy, latin-influenced approaches to beat programming combined with a classic jungle loop, and warm, uplifting pads and textures, giving the Release a retro-futuristic yet highly original ending.
This trio of songs from New Delhi artist flux vortex pair skittering rhythms with blinking keys, with surprises at every turn. Bandcamp New & Notable Aug 7, 2021
A personal, poignant record from the Belfast DJ and producer, dedicated to a close friend of his who passed away last year. Bandcamp New & Notable Dec 10, 2019