“[The artists] must not be afraid to experiment, nor do what comes naturally to them. And above all, trust in themselves and their instincts.” Cassy’s Kwench Records.
Berlin DJ/Producer Cassy has teamed up with Stockholm equivalent Art Alfie to gift us the so good it’s criminal new EP Bondebeats and third release through the former’s new collaborative label Kwench Records. Sporting two tracks and a remix, both originals when taken separately initially seem quite divergent in melodic application but a couple of listens back to back will reveal they are more than complementary in how both employ their minimalist strengths and introverted exuberance. A respectful irreverence and a nod to experimentation, also characteristics of both producers, are amply present in both tracks.
‘Solar’ is a thrilling ride that begins with an unrelenting techno kick which is soon to be accompanied by a bass groove characterised by its deep spirals and pliable elasticity. That and the ever shifting percussion work to give the track its foundation. A punchy spaced out synth aesthetic then enters the fray as Cassy employs dual vocal approaches that are so in opposition to each other in style, they work. Ponderous yet commanding spoken word is combined with a vowel vocalisation that sounds partly sensual and free but ultimately sensitive and cautious. It’s like she’s singing and dancing with unadulterated joy but only because no one is watching.
‘On The Low’ is just as good and rests on a similar time structure but diverges in its application with its syncopated percussion led groove. The groove begins to rumble as the track slowly builds through the employment of ethereal melodies and a plethora of vocal samples. Dispassionate and detached vocals combine seamlessly with a down in the mix milieu and an 80s house inspired vocalisation similar to the behind close doors gay abandon on ‘Solar’. While the track promises to take things up a notch in its final third in the end it proves to be a device of canny deception.
The EP is rounded off nicely with a high octane slightly warped remix of the Cassy track by the impressive Chris Count who according to Cassy makes ‘fucking great music’. Of the remix she states on the EP’s promo;
“This incredible remix delivers every time I play it. No matter where I am in the world, people love it”
This is a high quality release in very respect, exceptional examples that are true to Kwench’s independent boundary pushing reason for existence. Check out both original mixes below and grab a copy here.
Solar
Cassy x Art Alfie (GER/SWE)
From the EP, ‘Bondebeats’, Kwench Records.
Cassy Facebook
Audio Stream
On The Low
Cassy x Art Alfie (GER/SWE)
From the EP, ‘Bondebeats’, Kwench Records.
Art Alfie Facebook
Audio Stream