- One thing that seems to be fairly consistent amongst producers of late is the lack of an original sounding bassline. So often we're treated to cookie-cutter renditions of classic tracks, or something that clearly was routinely and hastily tapped out via a preset. Enter Peter Van Hoesen. Of late, the Brussels producer has kept listeners on their toes with a steady stream of releases on his Time 2 Express label, as well as random appearances on techno middleweights such as Lan Muzic and Komisch. Those with an ear for quality have kept the producer on their radar for the last few years, but it's with these latest bursts of productivity—especially last year's "LOC" on Lan Muzic, with its bouncing sub-bass, or the gurgling, punctuated warble of the recent Komisch release "Continued Care"—that we've been graced with shots of perfection that very rarely come so frequently.
Morse Records might be new on paper, but in quality they reign equal amongst some of the largest and most well-known techno brand names of recent vintage, easily contending with powerhouses like Ostgut Ton and Sandwell District, and smaller yet intimidating brands like Frozen Border and Do Not Resist The Beat. Hearing Van Hoesen's potential, Morse tapped the Belgian to create an EP, and his debut on the imprint is arguably his best work yet.
Kicking things off on the three-tracker is "Realtimeproof," whose hypnotically off-kilter square wave synth work sets the pace, proving that the bizarre is more often the most effective. By coupling the aforementioned synth with a powerful kick, listeners and DJ's alike are treated to a late night dervish sure to spin the room around. With its dubby chord stabs and funky undertone, "Strikethrough" will most likely remain the hidden gem, being brushed aside by the overwhelming power of "Resol." With a heavy, heady bassline that feels liquid in form, the tune is a nod to techno's undulating, despondent past, and an undeniable glance at its future. Spacey and mercurial, this is one release that oozes techno perfection one globular bassline at a time.
Tracklist A1 Realtimeproof
B1 Strikethrough
B2 Resol