Ananda's Bassmaschinchen Part 1

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  • Gabriel Ananda is back with a new 12” and here we find him leaving behind his signature melodies to focus on the low end. These tracks are supposed to be all about exploring bass and rhythm, something Ananda manages to accomplish in fine form on both sides. When ‘Bassmaschinchen’, the A side, starts you know Ananda wasn't kidding when he decided to focus on bass. Straight away you are greeted with a deep, powerful bassline that waxes and wanes throughout the track, but never departs. Indeed, at times the bassline operates in a similar fashion to the way Ananda often uses melody; a sign of rather clever production. Around the bass the track builds slowly with high hats, percussion and drums creating a deep, subtle number that may even sound like something akin to ‘minimal tribal’. Although there are a number of kicks, the emphasis is primarily on the tempo and the build. It is in the subtle variations, rather than the kicks, that you find the hooks. This is a real brooding monster of a track. The appropriately entitled B side, ‘Take Off’, is of similar high quality. Much like ‘Bassmaschinchen’, this is a deep hypnotic number that builds beautifully. On this side, however, it is Ananda’s new 909 that takes centre stage as a slow, warbling acid riff dominates the track. High hats and claps add to give this a real old school feel, and in many ways it is reminiscent of some of Donnacha Costello’s ‘Colour’ releases. Even more so than on the flip, this builds very deliberately as Ananda brings in new elements to keep the track ticking over and rising at an unmistakable pace. The kicks here are subtle, but most effective. This is a fantastic release by Ananda. Both sides are excellently produced. These are subtle, carefully crafted numbers, where the central basslines are complemented by well placed high hats, percussion and claps. The deep, hypnotic nature of these two cuts make them perfectly suited for a dark club and a massive sound system. That the release is called ‘Bassmaschinchen Part 1’ implies there are more to come. Lets hope so. Highly recommended.
RA