- Domenic Cappello, one half of the legendary Sub Club duo Harri & Domenic, has always been more of a DJ than a producer, but he's had his moments in the studio. Take "Amber Line," a tender tech house cut released under his Hutton Drive alias in 1997. Or URB 'N' RI's gorgeous "Dream Of A Groove," which came out a year earlier on 20:20 Vision. (That one's since become a favourite of Uruguayan tastemaker Nicolas Lutz, who included it in last year's XLR8R podcast.) Cappello's latest effort, a three-track EP called The Intruder, is his first under his own name. Though it glistens in places, it's hard to imagine anyone picking it up in 20 years time.
Cappello is at his best crafting soft textures and cosy moods, so it's a surprise to find him pursuing a modern tech house sound on the opening title track. It sounds like something you might hear in Ibiza approaching peak-time, all thumping kicks, arpeggiated synths and shadowy four-note motifs. Things mellow out and improve on "Time To Begin," a floaty deep house cut with a brittle drum break that morphs into a gooey rolling groove. "Rain" is cut from the same cloth, breezy and pleasant, though this time with an elegant melody that puts a much-needed spring in the EP's step. This is nice music, but it's missing that '90s magic.
TracklistA1 The Intruder
B1 Time To Begin
B2 Rain