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Swedish producer Andy Notalez, 25 years old, have released a number of tracks with leading labels in the industry, talented artist in his own right, he produce a powerful sound that cannot be missed. The opening brace of tracks, "Zuper Sound" and "Touchdown," are in reality a diptych, umbilically linked by the same "live jam" approach and a repetitive electro groove that will prick the ears of many an aging b-boy. The latter begins with a pulsing ring-tone squelch before a spitting bass synth rhythm is switched on, unlocking it for the dance floor. In contrast, "Striking Story" is as sparse, frigid and beautifully bleak as its glacial title suggests; a subtle motorik drone percolates underneath, layered with one-note tones and what sounds uncannily like a bout of Tuvan throat singing.

But the centrepiece, literally and musically, is the slow-burning "The Absinthe Truth." It builds from a single oscillating note, imperceptibly building in pace towards a chattering, percussive denouement before floating back to the ground again. Placed alongside it, Zuper Sound's weakest link, the distorted soundclash of "Retrospect," suffers in comparison, becoming engulfed in too much noise and the "Adam Mansell Remix" is a tiptoe through the tulips; underpinned by loops and a scuzzy synth line that could easily be mimicking with a massive bass line.

The album closes out with "Crystal", constructed around a head-nodding techno rhythm, angry wasps swarm above, accompanied by a scuzzy dial-up modem tone. It fades out to a socialist-leaning verse by early 20th Century poet, "Daniel Mehes Angry Bird Remix", who dreams about a better world by opening out his sound, losing a few hardcore fans and pick up a bunch more with "Zuper Sound". Last track takes a rather surprising turn (a surprise further amplified by the sloppy technique of the transition) with "A Dollop Of Mess" a tremendously seminal cut.

Buy: beatport

Tracklist:

1. Zuper Sound (Original Mix)
2. Touchdown (Original Mix)
3. The Absinthe Truth (Original Mix)
4. Striking Story (Original Mix)
5. Retrospect (Original Mix)
6. Retrospect (Adam Mansell Remix)
7. Crystal (Original Mix)
8. Crystal (Daniel Mehes Angry Bird Remix)
9. A Dollop Of Mess (Original Mix)
10. Secret Weapon (Original Mix)

Label: That's Hot Records
Cat: THR044
Release: January 19th 2011
Style: Techno