Originally developing his attenuated sound with New York ultraminimalist
Taylor Deupree, Greek-born producer
Savvas Ysatis offers his second outing under his own name, following a decade's worth of collaborative albums under a variety of monikers. And true to the form set before, these nine selections bathe in the dubby undercurrent set forth by the Basic Channel and Deep Chord labels. Driven by little more than a lightly brushed hi-hat and the interchanging step of bass and kickdrum, the ambling "Bulk Walk" and "Pathfinder" carry the album through great eventless distances until the more active "Sex Tan" and "Out to Funk" come along with Detroit synth-stabs and walking basslines. But only "The Bombshell busies itself with any sort of truly active programming. Existing on the dark side of the techno moon, this sort of ambient techno yang still perfectly balances the typical Tresor ying of pummeling beats. Little wonder that the infinitely duplicitous
Richie Hawtin utilized a
Ysatis track as one of the key braking moments to slow the barreling freight train that was his Decks, EFX & 909 mix CD. For those who preferred the later third of that highly popular mix, be aware that
Ysatis offers many more hours of well-cushioned techno for those so inclined to float. ~ Joshua Glazer