Argentinean producer Adrian Valenzuela (aka
Canu) seems to have a problem keeping things simple. Repeatedly, tracks on his debut album start off with wickedly gated percussion loops and sublime synths that become overrun with unnecessary ornamentation such as vocal or horn samples as the tracks progress. The opener, "Glass," is a perfect example. A distant echoing kick is neatly layered with a gentle acid bleeps and graceful synth chords à la
Fingers Inc., but a superfluous vocal breaks the hypnotic pulse a little past the halfway point. These forced builds seem unnatural and often spoil a good thing. The two exceptions are the staggering two-note conga break of the title track, with a beat so strong that it stays on point even with the introduction of ill-fitting piano flourishes, and "Casa Radar," with its choppy cut-up of a jazz ride rhythm, releasing the beat while introducing a muted horn, all at a perfect pace. Fans of more elaborate Latin-style house may find these criticisms unfounded, but let it be said that tighter is always better. Even if that means leaving some loops on the cutting room floor. ~ Joshua Glazer