- Long before "outsider house" became a term bandied about with varying levels of irony, there was the Dutch label Crème Organisation. Crème has been releasing off-kilter house and techno for 12 years, and few artists are as central to its identity as D'Marc Cantu, whose releases embody the label's elegant hybrids of techno, acid house and electro.
Alternate Frequency, Cantu's first release for the label since 2011's Fallen LP, may be archetypal stuff, but it sounds no less fresh for it. The arid snares of "Alternate Frequency" act as a fine textural counterpoint to lithe acid lines, and the relaxed progression of the track means that Cantu's gradual addition of layers—a mangled vocal sample, a mucky clap—never feels anything less than natural. "Size And Shape" is more vigorous, with sheer pads and a honeyed, almost ethereal melody lightening the relentless motion of the drum-led groove and the looped vocal. Compared to the ticking snares, crunchy claps and rapid-fire thumps of "Sharp Shooter," though, it's practically relaxed. "Speed Freak" is equally frenetic, all darting synth lines and brisk drum-machine hits—especially exhilarating after the comparative serenity of "Titanium Arm"'s lustrous pads and sparse percussion.
TracklistA1 Alternate Frequency
A2 Size & Shape
A3 Straight Shooter
B1 Tazakuro
B2 Titanium Control Arm
B3 Speed Freak