- The seed of OOOOO, the debut release from Luke West and the Sans Absence label, was an idea. Label co-founder Akito wanted to release music that extended London's UK funky style in a "darker, more moody direction." He sent producer West the brief, along with a folder of old tracks for inspiration, and this five-track EP was born.
The idea—of leading UK funky into a gloomier place reminiscent of dubstep—has been around for a while. It held sway a few years ago among producers like Beneath and Keysound's self-proclaimed "dark 130" movement. The resemblance gives West's originals a throwback-ish feel, though they're more focussed and linear than much of Keysound's output. On the title track this is a boon. Its densely funky percussion and railway-bridge ambience keep to a strict linear programme; in the muted surroundings, a pirouetting five-note melody takes on a magnetic power.
Elsewhere, however, the EP's conceit becomes a straitjacket. "Litework" is solid, but feels like a less-inspired realisation of an identical idea (it doesn't help that it's in the same key). Only a glowering, detuned bassline marks it out. "Worl" distinguishes itself through its more fractured beatwork, but there's an unsatisfying thinness to it. Remixes from Sans Absence owners Akito and D Warrior drive the concept into the ground. Little is done to the original ideas aside from obscuring them. OOOOO demonstrates that a manifesto can get you started nicely, but it won't take you the whole way.
Tracklist01. OOOOO (Original Mix)
02. Litework (Original Mix)
03. Worl (Original Mix)
04. OOOOO (D Warrior Remix)
05. Litework (Akito Remix)