So here it is – Kerri Chandler’s coming-out as a computer nerd. I think it should encourage nerds disguised as DJs and producers all over the world to step out and say: „Yes! So what if I sometimes like to throw on my Inner City CD and do some Fortran programming!“ Kerri’s revelation surely explains his relatively fast adoption of laptop-DJing (heavily frowned upon by purists at the time as I recall) and the giga-nerd laser live at Southport.

But if you are easily intimidated by music producers confessing to have been into “modding game machines”, I can safely say – you need not fear. And those of you who are expecting Kerri’s trademark bottom-heavy bass drums and 808 claps, this EP doesn’t fail to deliver. “Kong” is very much an old school house track, with some acidish snare/clap/cymbal action and a bouncy bass line. You know, sometimes you just like toast, without any butter or jam or anything. “Pong” is a more elaborate tune, relying on percussion, arpeggiated synthesizers and finally a string section to contrast the tech. It travels a bit to the Ibadan and “Sandcastles” territory and ends up with maybe just a little too much cheese for my taste.

The pick? Just toast for me, please. Thank you!

A: Kong
B: Pong

Listen at Juno
Buy at Juno

Drumpoet Community is a nice little Swiss label that’s working in cooperation with Compost to release music in the style of „b-boy house & technosoul“ – pretty inventive pigeonholing by the guys themselves, I must say. Quarion’s „Karasu“ was an instant hit for me last year. This time it’s Germany’s Sascha Dive with “DEep”.

There are two tracks on this EP, both warm percussive grooves. “Deep” (a remix job by Samuel Davis) works on your basic contagious Kerri Chandler style keyboard sequence, with the occasional gospel minister preaching “everybody in the orroughorroggh place”. We hear you alright. “Annihilating Rhythm” replaces the minister with (someone sounding a lot like) Darth Vader and adds some not-to-be-joked-around-with tom-tom action. Of the two, I will be opting for “Deep” for the old school vibe early in the set.

A: DEep (Samuel Davis Deep4Life Mix)
B: Annihilating Rhythm

Listen at Juno
Buy at Juno