- The Italian producer DJ Plant Texture, who also makes music as Dona, has fleshed out a unique breakbeat sound over just a few records. Signing to Ilian Tape, home to masters of ethereal breakbeat techno like Stenny and Skee Mask, is an exciting move. For his first release on the Munich label, he uses his two aliases for a record that outlines his dual musical personality. The Dona side is for the Ilian Tape heads, though the music is grittier than what fans of the label might be used to. "People Have No Name" comes with the subtitle "Live Cut," and it sounds appealingly ramshackle. True to Ilian Tape, it's loaded with killer synths that hint at '90s IDM. The other Dona track, "You Better Not Take The Metro," is the total opposite. There's almost no melody, just brute percussive force, with aggressive hi-hats and snares that sound like they're boxing you into a corner.
Dona touches on The Crystal Method with "Press Play On That MF MPC Maaan," where hilariously overdriven drums fight with goofy vocal samples for attention. With a breakdown that slows the track down to drip before snapping back into place, it's the kind of track that will elicit smiles and cheers on the dance floor. "31 Seconds" is another retro run, referencing Origin Unknown's classic jungle track "Valley Of The Shadows." Sounding like it's been run through a few low-pass filters, it's nostalgic fun that rounds off a solid Ilian Tape debut.
TracklistA1 Dona - People Have No Name (Live Cut)
A2 Dona - You Better Not Take The Metro
B1 DJ Plant Texture - Press Play On That MF MPC Maaan
B2 DJ Plant Texture - 31 Seconds