You’ve most likely heard of Adam Beyer’s label, Drumcode, but just as many should be familiar with the name Cari Lekebusch and his label, H-Productions. Drumcode is a techno label that put Sweden on the map, one of the biggest names in the genre, and Cari Lekebusch is a reputable producer and dj who helped get it started.
Drumcode is a techno label that put Sweden on the map, one of the biggest names in the genre, and Cari Lekebusch is a reputable producer and dj who helped get it started. Back in the mid-nineties, Cari Lekbusch was one of the first artists to not only release on the newly developed imprint, but additionally helped shape the early visual aesthetic through graphic design. Adam Beyer receives much of the praise and accolades for the label’s astounding success over the years, but Cari Lekebusch is additionally an invaluable contributor to the techno scene not only in their hometown of Stockholm, but also all around the globe. Having produced many styles of electronic music over his career, using over a dozen different aliases, from the dark and acidic sounds of Agent Orange, to his more whimsical monikers like Sir Jeremy Augustus Hutley Of Granith Hall, Lekebusch’s discography is elaborate and goes back several decades. Getting to hear new music from an artist of this caliber hardly ever disappoints.
If Cari Lekebusch’s legacy has been a gap in your otherwise encyclopedic knowledge of electronic music history prior to reading this review, don’t feel too bad, as I too admittedly hadn’t heard of him myself. That is until I listened to his most recent EP on his own label H-Productions. Hearing the EP ignited my curiosity and sent me down the YouTube and Wikipedia rabbit hole, filling some of the gaps in my knowledge of techno’s history. “Eyepoint” is a two-track release from Lekebusch that tastefully blends old and new-school production techniques in a way that only an exceptionally seasoned techno maestro can muster. Within a few seconds of listening, the quality of his productions became apparent, and I instantly became a fan. So what is it about Lekebusch’s latest release that makes it stand out?
Well, a big, wide kick drum is one way to get my attention, and the EP’s title track “Eyepoint” certainly has that covered. Blended perfectly with the bass line, the low end of this track is exacting and seamless, while utilizing an occasional, ever so subtle pitch-bend to keep things weird and unpredictable from the first eight bars. This track sounds and feels like the classic techno tracks that eventually lead to the “Hypnotic” sub genre we’ve heard repeated and replicated a million times over at this point, but this somehow feels different. The sheer attention to detail, and unwavering rave spirit that runs through this tune, elevates this sound to something that is equally “classic,” as it is forward thinking. Melodic elements blend with dissonant timbres, to the point where somehow neither seem to exist, just pure raw energy. As the bass pummels you, the rising, flanged background noise steadily rises and falls at just the right intervals to keep you locked in and ready for more.
The second track, “Hangman,” further fleshes out and defines what makes Lekebusch’s sound so delectable. Gradually, layers of percussion build momentum and compliment the wild and swung bass groove. While I’m unable to get a glimpse inside his studio to see what tools he was using to makes the productions, it’s safe to say with some degree of certainty that an assortment of analogue drum machines and hardware synthesizers were utilized in the making of this record. The sound is warm and thick, without ever sounding harsh or overly distorted. This track seems as though it has several added layers of playful melodies and contrasting textures added to the mix, setting it apart from many other productions of a similar style. The overall mood of “Hangman” is more celebratory than it is menacing, despite it’s grim title.
Getting to know Cari Lekebusch through interviews, H-Productions, and his extensive discography has been an absolute pleasure and has even filled in some gaps in my knowledge of Stockholm’s techno scene, and the pioneers who helped shape techno into the world wide phenomenon it is today. Download a digital copy of his latest “Eyepoint” EP on the Bandcamp page linked above.
-Jeronimo Watson
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