- Michael Burns has often used the pseudonym of Panoptic or Blue Haze in his production work, but on this occasion he elects to use quite simply his own name. Perhaps his North EP on Little Mountain Recordings is so personal to him that he felt the world who should know who the man behind so many impressive releases in the last year from Panoptic and Blue Haze really was.
First up is The Ambience and it is a bit of a misleading title as the track is really quite melodic and very club friendly. Not too intense, the beats flow smoothly with a nice healthy baseline that gives the track a good drive. The beautiful string patterns of Michael’s work are yet again apparent, and they are accompanied for the most part with some melodic synth structures. A very nice and summery production to start the EP.
Sunshine in my Shadows follows and it seed Burns get a little more grittier in his approach. The beats are slightly intensified and the kick drum crisp, helping the driving baseline to enter the production and join the percussive elements with a minimum of fuss. The track maintains a constant flow, and as the track progresses the trademark melodic tones of Burns’ productions give the track the extra touches it needs.
Backwards is a nice twisted piece of work from the word go. Stuttered beats introduce the track shortly before squelched riffs and constant hats grind away at the speakers. It’s the quirkiest set of sounds and effects we have heard yet from Burns, and it is very impressive, as the track maintains a great flow despite the breaks here and there.
Forwards is probably the most anthemic track on the EP. It builds with some solid arrangements combining solid drums with quirky muffled effects waiting to unleash the main melodic pattern. The melody comes in soon enough and flows nicely, shortly before it is joined by some intense synth patterns. It is clear to see why this track has been so big with Sasha in the last few months!
Michael Burns seems to have dance floor appeal formula down pat as he yet again turns in 4 very solid productions creating a great EP on LMR.