Ital - Hive Mind (CD)

Daniel Martin-McCormick's Ital project finds a new home and its first full length release on Planet Mu. It's clear to see why Mike Paradinas has signed this material as there is something quite charming about the sound and the simplistic approach to its creation. 'Doesn't Matter (If You Love Him)' samples fragments of Lady Gaga and Whitney Houston vocals via recordings from Youtube, looping them over dislocated house rhythms, an infectious bassline and lots of cheeky editing. It differs somewhat from his recordings for the 100% Silk label, some of which I liked a lot. I've read this stuff being labelled as "lo-fi house" or whatever but considering his production techniques I really think the fidelity is pretty high. The synths on the opening cut work very nicely and the final product is simultaneously weird yet accessible. 'Privacy Settings' is like a weird glitched up house track that melts into Artificial Intelligence sounds all blitzed in a spooked ambient blender. There's certainly something quite original occurring there. 'First Wave' has some thudding kicks underpinning mangled disco sounds accompanied with a light smattering of Larry Heard soul. The result is a very pretty track which has an appealing raw construction. It's almost like watching a disco ball disintegrating, each tiny mirror shooting off into the ether. Despite the slight sense of dislocation it is a track which is infinitely danceable and retains the groove throughout. You can almost visualise a scenario at the Paradise Garage where they're experiencing some technical difficulties but then the resultant sound adds a new level of funk! 'Israel' has some cool sampled dialogue running in the background while icy chords and stumbling drums are forged together to create something both cerebral and wonkily danceable in a very gloopy syrupy kinda way. Finally 'Floridian Void' has echoes of the ghost of Aphex Twin's 'On' shimmering away in the mix with effected vocal samples and some lovely melodies emerging, the groove recalls Global Communication's classic '76:14' record at times. It's a sweet tune and closes the set in fine style, it is reason enough to buy the record and really leaves me wanting more which is always a good thing. Plus this number has pushed it from being four stars to five!