- Cin Cin's core ethos is straightforward: two heads are better than one. The truth of that idiom depends on the heads in question, but that has been no problem for Fort Romeau and Ali Tillett's label, whose first record enlisted two specialists of striking yet understated house. Helmed by Nick Höppner and Fort Romeau, Cin Cin 001's tracks were drawn with smooth, expressive strokes, coloured in by mournful, mucky disco (Fort Romeau's "Diana") and nods to UK garage (Höppner's "Slicing Hues" and "Stay").
On many other EPs, one track tends to dominate the conversation, but each of Cin Cin 001's softly-spoken songs had something interesting to say. With different personnel in place, it's equally tough to pick a favourite from Cin Cin 002.
Thanks to Todd Osborn's acid-drenched bangers, the latest Cin Cin EP positions itself at the business end of a party. "We Gonna Jak" is acid made from a standard set of tools, yet few producers handle them as creatively as Osborn. The 303 whips relentlessly, as in many tracks of this type, but its tones and textures constantly mutate—it's what makes the rhythmic convulsions so compelling. Osborn bundles his acid lead into wild, grotty shapes on "On The T," but the nostalgic edge of an R&S-style synth lead makes its bruising frame oddly comforting.
Sliding into Laurence Guy's jangling disco-house on the B-side might feel like something of a comedown, but "Ubik" and "One For You, Lou" aren't sub-par. The former's cascade of Four Tet-like harp notes give Cin Cin 002 its most tender moment, while the latter's humming bassline, chased by a squealing melody, ends the EP on a high note.
TracklistA1 Todd Osborn - We Gonna Jak
A2 Todd Osborn - On The T
B1 Laurence Guy - Ubik
B2 Laurence Guy - One For You, Lou