- The extremes of DI-X's sound can be plotted using two tidbits of information. One is a description of his home label, Berlin's LACKRec., by its founders: "Take the rave from Panorama Bar's dance floor (2006 till 2010) [and] mix it with a lot of LONG ISLAND ICED TEA." The other is his artist alias, a variation of the name (D-IX) for a methamphetamine-based performance enhancer used in World War II. His releases mix up a range of cocktails from these two ingredients, which manifest as a sensual house-wise quality and a relentless drive reminiscent of '90s techno, respectively. His debut as SBC offers two more mixtures, both pretty tasty.
The remixes by a certain Simi have the more immediate kick (the name has no Google trail, and might be a further DI-X alias). They're ruthless in their indulgence of the techno pleasure principle: thunderous drum tracks begin, develop, and eventually explode in a smokebomb of euphoric melody. (This technique of sitting with the drums for ages before delivering a jolt of sentimental melody is common to many LACKREC. releases.) The second of the two, a "Bushnight" edit of "Tracker 96," is the record's highlight, thanks to its trance undertones and the naked melancholy of its breakdown. Two SBC originals, meanwhile, are lighter. "Yoyo" takes on a tight house swing and gives the melody a whimsical IDM tinge. "Polygrooves," meanwhile, weaves lattice-like synths around languid Detroit chords.
TracklistA1 Ffm (Simi Clubnight Mix)
A2 Yoyo
B1 Tracker 96 (Simi Bushnight Edit)
B2 Polygrooves