Mysterious, out of the blue limited marbled vinyl release from the PRRUK camp is a four tracker of certified bangers, and a well defined window into the Planet Rhythm sound.
As of last month on the 21st of September, we saw another Hexagon EP by Javi Lago on the Planet Rhythm label. This month we have an ‘Unknown Artist’ releasing another Hexagon EP on vinyl the same day a month later. What gives? Well two things. One, this is the kind of thing techno heads live for. “Who is that masked man?” such as the constant prying about the real identities of Scan 7, Headless Horseman, trying to call Rrose anything other than Rrose, unmasking Redshape, or people having the sudden epiphany that Traversible Wormhole is Adam X. Masked identities is nearly commonplace in techno.
The other thing could be that, if one were to bet a pair of wooden nickels, this is Planet Rhythm founder Glenn Wilson getting busy under an alias. Which makes sense since these tracks bear all the hallmarks of the Glenn Wilson’s sound, and arguably, the Planet Rhythm sound as a whole. Wilson has been pretty low key as of late, speculation has you wondering if he hasn’t just fully vanquished his image in total and prefers to let his music speak. On some music sites this release is titled as a self release with “Planet Rhythm” being the artist, so maybe we are peeking into what cards the label is holding? We may ponder about this all we want, but maybe it’s a good thing that this release is faceless and it’s getting back to what matters most: the music.
First track on this release is a no-nonsense techno track called “Observe.” It really lays down every true definition of what techno is about. Solid distorted chords, hypnotic ambience, and a progression that always leads back to the simple grooving kick and hat pattern. For an unknown artist, this artist knows a hell of a lot about techno and it feels completely second nature to them.
“Hexagon” is the second track on this EP. It harkens back to some older Planet Rhythm themes with a schranz edge, heavy and thick drum programming, head nodding synth arp lines, and that old classic 909 ride. The samples before the drops are fun and induce a wry smile. As part of the return to higher BPM sets and more blistering techno are welcome on dance floors, this track will fit right in.
Third track in is “Space Research” which references that sci-fi Detroit Techno 7th chord but also takes that concept and layers it over a solid groovin bass and drum pattern. There are some standard unexpected features, such as a snare build and a white noise sweep that are confusing since they seem like throwbacks, but since they are put into a new context here, they’re used as a worn functional tool by someone who knows when and how to deploy it. Once again, leading us to think the artist on the release is no spring chicken.
Last track up here is “Kelp.” As the name suggests, it feels like swimming through a funky kelp forest in Monterey Bay. Just replace the kelp and the deep blue water with a dark acid line and we’re at home among the rocks and sea urchin drum machines. The acid here reminds us of some really old Planet Rhythm wax such as Cog, or Umek’s releases on the label, circa 96/97/98. It’s welcome acid from a well known source for a new era where people still can’t get enough of it.
However you shake it, the EP is a well designed and produced set of tracks from someone who knows what techno is. It’s the kind of techno you can come to expect for solid strong beats, much like how you can always find A.Paul laying down on his productions. It’s a reliable set of tracks and something to lean on when it’s in your crate. When you put this record on, people will dance to it. It makes a strong base to come back to if you’re leading people onto some more experimental techno and the crowd isn’t digging that sort of vibe. This record will provide a trusted source of themes you and your dancers can rely on to keep things moving.
The big question…will there be another Hexagon EP next month, i.e. number 3 of 6? We shall see.
-Sean Ocean
Check out Dirty Epic music recommendations here.
Listen to our podcasts here.
Find out more about our events here.
