- Sevensol & Bender have already proved themselves adept at the sort of deep, swirling house typified by labels like Smallville, Aim and, indeed, their own KANN imprint. They showcase that sound in fine style on "Balei Bifzbaf," with bassline and bubbling synthesizers interlocking in graceful counterpoint, and a carefree skip to the unvarnished machine groove. Like a lot of this stuff, it feels static at first: The bassline never deviates from its script, and it would be hard to pinpoint any significant moments in the track. But the careful interplay of its ever-modulating elements keeps it engaging for its nine-minute length; it feels like dancing on a cushion of bubble wrap.
"Captain Trollig" offers more to sink your teeth into, beginning with a chunky groove that slides from side to side and gradually unfurling a simple, but highly effective, harpsichord-like arpeggio. Here, there's even a hook, a childlike vocal refrain that you'll doubtless recognize from previous use in songs by M.I.A, De La Soul, Busta Rhymes and A Tribe Called Quest. Contrary to conventional wisdom that might frown on such a well-worn sample, though, it works wonders, threading a hypnotic track with a faint glimmer of recognition before disappearing again, leaving you wondering if you might have simply imagined it. You could call it the Goldilocks method: Not too little, not too much, but just right.
TracklistA Balei Bifzbaf
B Captain Trollig