Belgian born, France based DJ/Producer and Knotweed label boss Philippe Petit returns to Radio Slave’s Rekids Special Projects imprint with a six track EP of stomping techno with a funky electro treat at the end. Returning for his second affair with the Berlin sub-label, expect lush chord progressions matched with banging drums to bliss you out as you tweak your limbs.
“Black Hole” starts off the EP with a hypnotic arpeggio that slowly opens up over the bouncing beat. Meticulous drum patterns are crafted throughout, keeping things interesting on their own, only leaving room for a delicate acid stab that pokes in near the halfway mark of this minimal gem.
“Survival” continues the vibe, emphasizing the acid line and adding more peak-hour elements to the drum arrangement such as in-your-face hi hats and ride cymbals. The arrangement is also catered to the dancefloor, keeping your body in constant motion with strong peaks and valleys that follow the acid line’s filter manipulation.
Continuing the rise of energy towards the halfway mark, “Dog Eat Dog” brings the aura of a Soviet war bunker, combining a plethora of dark and drab elements. Again over a sterilized yet thumping rhythm section, Philippe churns out another slice of minimal warehouse heaven…or hell.
“Temporary” introduces the second half of the record by resetting the energy with a deep, jacking groove accompanied by bright chords and a rolling bassline. Gaining energy and sophistication as the track progresses by adding clap rolls and trippy FX injections, the veteran producer provides another 6+ minutes of captivating, high-caliber techno.
Steering the record into yet another direction, Petit goes into full hypnotization mode in “You Are What You Are”. Rich, lavish chords take the lead in this entrancing number, giving off a mellow yet vibrant mood perfect for the late night dancefloors. While keeping the beat in submission, the drums still manage to cut through with an astute practicality that caters to the tranquil track. Ending with a surprising treat, the Belgian artist shows off his diversity in production with a funky yet sedating breakbeat on “Lesson Learned.” Liquid drums emerge with a vibey electric piano that emphasizes the downtempo-feeling bassline while the track evolves from trippy to groovy to euphoric, completing the producer’s impressive second offering on RSPX.
“Black Hole” is available on most streaming platforms and bandcamp.
-Kai Loo
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