- Now firmly ensconced in Berlin, San Francisco’s Lando—formerly the UK bass-leaning Lando Kal—has fallen deep into the techno wormhole. His current style is reduced and frosty, with broad applicability and plenty of dance floor energy. For The Switch, he teams up with an older proponent of minimalism, fellow American-in-Berlin Tim Xavier. This isn’t their first encounter—Power House Rhythm Unit appeared on Face To Face earlier this year, showcasing a sexier, vocal sample-led style. This EP for John Osborn’s TANSTAAFL Planets is less welcoming, its bony kicks and claps cut with subtle layers of hiss, as if we’re hearing slick pneumatic machines in action.
On "Entitled #2" and "Brick City," stylish synth gestures rub against compact drum loops, creating a mixture of tension and looseness. The latter, with its spritely woodblocks, is the EP’s most energetic moment. "The Switch" is atmospherically richer, tempering its bleep-scape with a pleasingly broad swing. None of these tracks is a career highlight for either producer, but they'll doubtless do the job in the right time and place.
TracklistA1 Entitled #2
B1 The Switch
B2 Brick City