NEW MUSIC: CONVERGE+ – PRANA / AQUA
Something new by way of deep house on Eighth Dimension Records from Japanese duo Converge+.
Prana has backward rhythms and a deep underlying bass in its deep house approach. But a bit forgettable. Joshua Iz remixes it in a more spritely fashion. But not with stronger results. Aqua has a slightly more laid back approach. More on the mark of the hypnotic end of deep house. Funk Shuei give it the remix and go for something classically early 90s in a Chicago manner. Works really well. Listen to Prana, buy Aqua.
Blurb: Eighth Dimension’s Blue Label Series, curated by Q-Burns Abstract Message, deftly presents its third issue, this time featuring Japanese house/techno duo Converge+. Their tracks fell into the label’s lap via unsolicited demo (often the most nefarious kind) and the Eighth Dimension team were immediately enraptured by Converge+’s sleek and futuristic house music sound. Converge+ are comprised of two seasoned DJs, Takashi Sasaki and DJ ENDO, who create spacious and warm house music tracks with subtle flavors of delicious, deep techno. First off there’s “Prana,” a flowing deep house track filled with synthesized swells and digital sighs, all laid on top of a funkily synchronized rhythm. Joshua Iz immediately came to mind as “Prana”‘s remix applicator, and he took a quick break from busy dealings with his own Vizual Records imprint to deliver the stylish version heard here. It’s a classic Joshua Iz production complete with his trademark combination of hypno-beats, layered key stabs, and bass line bounce. Ten satisfying minutes of digital disco fury. Converge+’s second cut, “Aqua,” is a melody-treated electronic groover recalling the early days of deep house such as found on the renowned Balance label. Bell-like patterns resonate on top as lush, filtered pads and a rolling low end round out the sonic sphere. On the remix tip Eighth Dimension looked south of the border and to its Mexican friends in Funk Shuei, proprietors of the quickly rising Dialtone label. Their rework takes a sharp left turn from the original “Aqua,” using inspiration from the rhythm to elicit a punchy after-hours house treatment that’s slightly stripped back and driven by a Chicago shuffle. A subtle female voice enters the zone and the repetitious bell sounds take on a more ominous overtone.
Available now from Beatport
