LA modular producer David Castellani, one half of Mia Wallace, launches his new imprint with the Alpha Gamma EP, two excellent cuts and a remix by standout German artist Redshape.
Italian born producer and LA resident (by way of Chicago) David Castellani has a background in percussion and jazz-fusion, glued together with classical training. Add a large dose of modular synthesis to this equation and we have his new label Noetic, standing for a vision of “mind expansion and technical vanguard”- unabashedly thoughtful, machine-driven, futuristic and mystical in concept. He creates dense, psychedelic techno and has been showcasing mind-boggling improvised modular live sets from his studio.
“Alpha Gamma” begins with a tense triplet synth pattern. The polyrhythm intensifies, and drops to waves of sustained synths, slowly building, morphing, evolving. The layers swirl and cycle up and down, creating and releasing tension. There is a sense of massive air, huge space, conjuring the sense of a very big warehouse. At the 4 minute mark, the big break introduces a new feeling, something mysterious and maybe even a bit cosmic. After the drop, the 8th note hat opens up and the track grooves on to a satisfying finish, alternating between ecstatic, questioning, and at times markedly dark. This dance between light and dark is a thread throughout the entire production.
Berlin producer Redshape, having released on labels like Monkeytown, Soma, Runningback, Poker Flat and Crosstown Rebels, provides heavyweight remixer credentials. His version of the title track definitely carves its own unique sonic identity. What sounds like a sustained bell introduces us to the soundscape, and quickly a dubby bassline begins its deep roll. But when dark, grinding hoover-like synths enter the picture, a militant dystopia dominates the vibe, punctuated by busy snares to make the point. Light synth string leads double and counterbalance this ecstatic darkness, melodic but heavy as sin, fanfare for the raver in all of us, an anthem that could easily have originated in a Detroit goth club in 1995.
“Alpha Flux” goes deeper. Tension fills the atmosphere. The heaviest kick drum of the EP settles in, like the root of an old tree. A very percussive synth introduces a hypnotic groove, evolving in varying intensity, casting a spell with its dynamics, reaching for the edge but not allowing the breach… At about the halfway mark, modular glitches create a time warp, slowing up and speeding down, pitching around … As the beat drops, a new synth enters the fray, a driving arp taking the track to a higher energy. Brighter and more direct, it drives forward and gradually filters down, bringing this tune to a classy conclusion, while never losing tension. This balance is again punctuated by eerie airy textures that create darkness even as they ease our smooth exit.
An elegant debut, David Castellani’s Alpha Gamma EP is available on Beatport.
-Nicolaas Black
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