- Though Mark Flash is a new addition to the UR recording roster, his debut four-tracker neatly channels the UR sound of a few years back, when the Los Hermanos crew (DJ Rolando, Gerald Mitchell, et al) was dominating the release docket before spinning off onto their own Submerge-distributed label. Rife with off-center, Latin-derived rhythms, the EP is a fusion of the two labels' styles, utilizing slippery electrofunk riffs in conjunction with all manners of tribal percussion.
Opener 'Sao Paolo' is the most floor-friendly cut here, with shuffling percussion galore over a stiff breakbeat and a trio of slick synth riffs for a classic UR winner. 'Erzuli,' on the other hand, rolls a slow, heavy tribal beat back and forth with little payoff (much like the perpetually on-the-verge woman moaning all over the cut); a nice little kick at the end would have been nice albeit predictable, but instead Flash merely hints at the explosion that never comes.
On the flip, 'Cachaca' ups the tempo and structure of 'Sao Paolo' with even more phased and layered percussion, but swaps in a clipped, almost Freestyle horn blast, while 'Minha Mocambo' closes things down with a sparse, spacey track buoyed by a menacing jungle chant.
Working in a variety of tempos and structures, Flash shows some inspired touches here, but ultimately fails to achieve cohesion despite the overarching Brazilian vibe. A promising, if not entirely successful bow.
TracklistA1 Sao Paulo
A2 Erzuli
B1 Cachaca
B2 Minha Mocambo