- It's hard to feel too positive about house and techno these days with such widespread cynicism and disillusionment doing the rounds, sparked less by an active dislike of what's going on than by sheer boredom. Ryan Crosson's "Confiteria Del Molino" isn't going to help matters, three perfectly functional tracks fitting neatly into current trends, with little to help them stand out from the crowd.
Most of Detroit-native Crosson's productions have been for Trapez, his tough, glitzy skiffle ideally suited to that label, but these tech-housers for Wagon Repair shoot straighter and aim lower, with a belated dank summer air hanging about. It's the title track that possesses the personality here, relying on a fixed, restrained, heavy rhythm to hold attention while processed vocal mumblings crackle and fizz, and a looped synthetic horn bleet—yes, another—clambers for attention. It's much subtler than "Trompeta," with none of the quirk of "Fizheuer," but the beefy house thud remains mildly funky.
The flip is all about safe support. "Sunshine Wave" starts out all bright and airy with vibrant tones ping-ponging about, but the big drums return, creating a warm dub shimmer like something off Traum. The bass sounds gruff and unpolished, and whatever contribution Liebe Ist Cool's Eflein and Fox supposedly make goes unnoticed. Slightly better is "Use Me Up," a clipped, skipping tone set against an impersonal low end, the warped and mangled vocal fragments from "Confiteria..." returning for more of the same. All three are rather pedestrian, however, with no surprises or risks, disappointing considering the reputations of both label and producer.
Tracklist A Confiteria Del Molino
B1 Sunshine Wave feat. Elflein & Fox
B2 Use Me Up