MIKE SHANNON - Memory Tree
Beyond Incubation ushers in the album like distant headlights approaching over a hilltop. The flickering efx slowly solidify around a lush, bass heavy groove that transports the exquisite chord sequence ever closer, offering a transitory glimpse of what lies ahead, before dissolving into shadow. Mercury Mile continues the assent with a long beatless intro dominated by a wash of static interference and squirming synths, while the molten bass and tough, angular snare lend the groove a cool electro flavour. It’s mix friendly, deeply atmospheric and a useful tool for breaking it down and spacing things out before the sultry beats finally kick in.
After the expectation generated by the first two tracks, we finally reach maximum velocity with Wolf Module, a raw, acid tinged exercise in route one techno. The stripped down beats and racing hi-hats thrash out a treacherous path into the unknown accompanied all the while by a dark, growling main riff that bares its jagged fangs during the breakdown. From then on the bassline storms into focus and Shannon simply hits cruise control and lets the funk flow. Enero takes the foot off the pedal slightly before gradually flowering into a beautifully structured piece of uplifting techno, conjuring up a wealth of superlative dancefloor memories in the process. The shuffling percussion slowly reveals a timeless melody that takes its place centre stage, flanked by soft rising pads that stimulate the head and the heart. It’s a classic summer tune of an ilk all too rare at present, which should become the focal point of many DJ sets over the coming months.
Love Fry is a pivotal, stand out moment on the album, occupying the middle ground between the contrasting musical aspects of Shannon’s work. On the one hand - the dark, engrossing synth lines full of ecstasy and menace, on the other - the soulful, jazz influenced elements that add colour, light and a tinge of nostalgia to his work. And right at the heart of Love Fry they collide like two shifting tectonic plates throwing out a mountainous terrain that suddenly levels off into an expansive plateau. It’s a masterstroke made all the more impressive by the chameleon like bassline that morphs through all manner of twists and turns before the wind chime fx add a tactile, new dimension to the mix-out.
