- When I interviewed Mexican DJ and producer White Visitation at the start of this year, his sound was in the midst of change. His earliest material, spread across three self-released tapes, is dubby, meandering and melodic, while the more recent bits, put out by labels like L.I.E.S. and Dog In The Night, are harder and more streamlined. It might be expected that his next record would follow suit with more icy techno, but in fact, Blank Slate 010 reaches back to some of the oldest tracks on Nicolas Guerrero's hard drive.
Anyone who copped Tape 1 should remember opening cut "Maintain." It was that EP's grittiest selection, its throbbing bassline and menacing mood in stark contrast to the record's otherwise airy melodies and soft pads. It fits in better on Blank Slate 010, working well as a rainy, hypnotic opener. "Close Your Eyes And Dream Of Screaming," or "CYEADOS," is cut from the same gloomy cloth, but there's more light to be found. Muted synth spirals gradually unfurl across off-kilter kicks, bursting through in a blaze on the final stretch. The journey from dark to light culminates with "Take It Again," a sultry 95 BPM number that shows off Guerrero's skill for deeper, housey textures. There's more to the Mexican producer than what we get here, but Blank Slate 010 nevertheless offers a snapshot of his strong talents.
TracklistA1 Maintain
A2 CYEADOS
B1 Take It Again