They don't come along very often, but when they do, an Aril Brikha release is guaranteed to get people of a certain persuasion all hot and sweaty. And we've been waiting - 2006 was supposed to see his second artist album on the Peacefrog label, but it's been put back to this year. The Swede's 1998 debut 'Groove La Chord' remains a proper classic and its (unexpected) recent inclusion on the Jesse Rose-compiled 'Body Language 3' comp should see a new demographic discovering his sounds.
For his latest 12", deep techno's littlest hobo beds down with the Kompakt crew for the night - with some surprising results. Lead track 'Winter' follows his by now trademark arrangement - a phased bassline underpins the track from the get-go, complemented by a gentle kick before the main event arrives: an oscillating, crystalline riff that weaves and twists its way through the ten-odd minutes of drops, peaks and subtle surges, backed up by some choice hi-tech synths. Fogies will fret that the riff owes more to untrendy trance than Detroit - but screw them, this is instant hi-definition techno.
'Berghain' will appeal to the heads more - it lacks the drama of the A-side, but stick with it: the buzzing bassline and confident, dry percussion contrast beautifully with the undulating deep'n'fluid pads, making it the more likely straight-up floor-shaker.
Tracklist: Aril Brikha - Winter
A Winter
B Berghain
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