Imprint Of The Sun & African Rhythm (Incl. MINT (JPN) Remix)

Stalwart Japanese record producer and DJ, STUDIO APARTMENT commonly known as Masanori Morita and Noboru Abe, readies his next dancefloor voyage, 'Imprint Of The Sun' & 'African Rhyme', a two track EP that strides between mesmeric techno and Afro-fusion. Bolstered by an immaculate, energy fuelled reworking of the B-side from promising young artist MINT, a fellow Tokyo resident who's pricked the ears of the seasoned veteran. 'Imprint Of The Sun' embarks with warm, subby kicks rolling out under a hypnotic web of interlocking 808 toms and cowbells. Layering up inch-by-inch with STUDIO APARTMENT's quintessential, organic percussion. Shimmering rides and tremulating flute samples jest across the stereo field making way for a dominating bass drone that lifts us upwards through its bright, ascending progression. The mesmerising spread of unique drums are transfixing throughout, anchoring this remarkable production through it's simplistic, yet immersive creativity. Featuring once again, STUDIO APARTMENTs frequent collaborator; the unique vocal stylings of MAUMA, who's haunting harmonies elevate the composition through crescendos of incomparable ecstasy. Delving further into the depths of STUDIO APARTMENT's creative mind, 'African Rhyme' offers an organic body-high through a complex network of polyrhythmic percussion performances. From the indistinguishable fusions of djembe, conga and hybrid drums that Morita has himself crafted, comes an unparalleled pulse. A human heartthrob that beats away at a tantalising 125 beats per minute and is the epicentre of this enveloping trip through his archetypal Afro-fusions. Paired with exuberant leads from the Malian Kora and complementing synth pad swells and spine-tingling drops, the spectacles here are the oscillating kalimba and impassioned vocal cries that drive this riveting sonic journey. In a bold and youthful contrast to the B-side, the young Japanese talent MINT delivers an enormous tech-edged dancefloor revision of 'African Rhyme'. Bringing a true charisma to his rework that cuts through and offers up a refreshing new tone to the release. Subterranean bass tones squeeze through the gaps in the recurrent kick groove and splashing, interlocking percussion layers form a non-stop mass of rhythms. Encapsulating the warm tones of Morita's synth pads, MINT teases them in for just a moment before casting them off with his fierce, rolling drums. Flirting with the listener over and over throughout the course of this dynamic remix, with kalimba loops and insertions of vocals from the timeless original cut.