Tom Pooks - Jocker EP

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  • Tom Pooks is label boss of Moovment Records out of Montepellier and the ‘Jocker EP’ is his first outing on Intec. With releases such as 'Docker' on Kompakt’s Speicher series, 'Ploof Daddy' on Ovum as well appearances on Eukahouse and Wagrum, this Frenchman gets around. Pooks has also firmed his footing in Europe with namechecks from techno DJs such as Marco Bailey and Valentino Kanzyani. The title track is bumpy, mid-tempo minimal with a shifting bassline tone that just about keeps it from becoming an average plodder. There are no melodic elements here, just sinister, spidery acid lines that create a menacing air as the build-up raise the ante towards its end. ‘Jocker’ lacks a real groove, but it’s jerky patterns could shake up a dancefloor – it’s unlike anything I’ve heard on Intec though so perhaps the novelty factor may work in its favour. ‘Blue Scream’ is much more of the Pooks brand of techno, this time built around a wailing melodic snippet. Quite similar in construction to some of Alexander Konig’s tracks, its trancey feel may cast your mind back to the Bellboy catalogue in particular. With its euphoric edge, this could well see the most support out of the three tracks on offer. The EP finishes on much the same note as it began on ‘Housyway’, a vague backward glance at oldskool acid house. More spooky doings here, and while Pooks shows his potential for nice sounds, the track attempts to weave a hypnotic groove without ever quite achieving it. Intec appear to be testing the waters, possibly hinting at a shift towards more minimal house. Recent releases from Smith & Selway, Pedro Delgardo and Leandro Gamez have all been more peaktime techno affairs so this EP may puzzle younger Intec fans in particular who might have been expecting a less subdued project. Definitely not one of the more memorable Intec releases.
RA