Emmanuel returns to the ARTSCORE sublabel after a year’s hiatus with new release “Tiger Grass” for an EP that proves as a Techno musician, the man can do no wrong.
Judging by the look of things, the ARTS label boss loves to take his time and craft something meaningful. One could imagine it’s tricky finding time for tracks when helping to release Tensal and Regent’s newest offerings for the label. Whatever the case may be, it seems like Emmanuel always has something serious, world-changing Techno up his sleeve. He’s obviously at the top of his game, and every release from him has his full heart and attention behind it.
The “Tiger Grass” EP is full of sound design explorations, little journeys to satisfy artistic curiosities, stellar grooves, refined tension, and expert control over all the elements in play. Furthermore, it takes the existing lay of the land in Techno music and still manages to push it forward in new and interesting ways. A great example of this is in “Influencer,” where this strange progression is inviting curiosity to explore while the stern groove serves as a framework around it—hiding it from view and making it more intriguing. A similar concept is apparent within “Timecode”. The backing pattern weaves behind very straight beats with little groove, and the interplay of the timing of the backing pattern and the straight beats provide the groove timing.
“ISCGNs-(ext)” goes after a dissociative tribal pattern with a heavy bit, crunched, pitch-shifted, and effected vocal that is absolutely mental. While the vocal grabs your attention, parts drift in and out, and long stingers and sweeps help you to feel drawn from your body once more. Coming back to the title track, “Tiger Grass” sort of reminds you of a more dubbed-out version of Samuel L Session’s tracks on Cycle back in the day yet with a more modernized feel, stronger banging kick, and of course that signature heavy groove that Emmanuel just excels at. Further contrasting the old versus new concept would be the synth pattern in the back that seems like something akin to a ‘90s vibe. Garnering influences from early ‘90s Electronic Music is something that Emmanuel has not shied away from in recent releases, possibly signifying the musical era as something that he has grown up with and has firmly rooted in his soul.
In summation, the “Tiger Grass” EP is more evidence that the artist, craftsman, and scene leader is at the forefront of the true school Techno movement. The EP melds taste, class, and restraint, and yet still remains superbly functional as Dance Music. It’s one of the finest Techno releases this year, and you’d do well to scoop up the last one or two vinyl copies that are still in circulation while you still can.
-Sean Ocean
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