Just over a month after starting his highly anticipated record label Peer, San Francisco DJ/Producer Max Gardner delivers white hot “Spatial” EP released on Northern Parallels. Containing two slamming originals solidified with equally enthralling remixes from Midwest techno heroes Jason Patrick and Mike Derer, Northern Parallels’ first release of the year is a stunner.
The title track comes in first, jolting you into the abyss with a thunderously rumbling sub bass under a cold, mechanical, and evolving synthesized percussion sequence. Gardner then tastefully brings in more drums as the track takes flight with haunting background soundscapes and dubby modular zaps that expand and modulate while spinning in all directions. “Spatial” fittingly sets the tone for the rest of the record, providing a distinctly unique and polished journey.
Jason Patrick builds his own hallucinatory universe around Gardner’s foundation in his “Spatial” remix. Injecting his Chicago techno swing, Patrick induces a nasty drum workout quickly after hypnotizing you with mid-frequency dreamlike synthesis that he swaps in place of Gardner’s percussive line. While the remix uses different sounds, the vibe is clearly connected in production architecture, including the crisp clearness and powerful punchiness provided by Anthony Jimenez at 313 Mastering.
“Maxaroni” starts off the b-side by drastically lowering the tempo with a more chugging beat while emanating the same feel of the EP’s musical environment. The resulting combination spaces the listener out, providing more room for the subtle nuances Gardner gracefully takes advantage of. Entrancing and mesmerizing, the track is sure to work wonders on any dancefloor in need of an aesthetically pleasing head trip.
Northern Parallel’s label boss Mike Derer turns in the final number with his “Maxaroni” remix. Going straight for the jugular with a driving kick and bass combo, Derer skips the anesthesia and performs his sonic surgery with no remorse. Boosting the tempo to a rocking 135 while retaining Gardner’s atmospherics gives this “Spatial” EP two knockout choices on both sides of the spectrum and finalizes a top-notch record sure to grace many grateful dancefloors.
-Kai Loo
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