Bleep

The legendary Steven Rutter, one half of the seminal UK bleep techno duo B12, returns to De:tuned to present Close Your Eyes And Breathe. Across three tracks, it’s a nostalgic and expertly crafted glance back at the warehouse, bleep and rave scene of the early nineties when it was in full swing, staying faithful to the original sound.

Opener ‘O.L.F. ResPekt’ is a true flashback to those heady days. Steadily driven by a downtempo drum machine rhythm, its freely oscillating melodies and exploratory synth washes channel the wide-eyed potential of those experimental early days. ‘Rewind 273’ is a spacey after hours number, with an elastic arp line shape-shifting in contrast to the bed of pensive pads underneath, and a distorted bass stab pulling you in another direction still. It feels like a jaunty nod to those splayed out early mornings long after the party has wound up. Third track ‘Incredible’ is the highlight here, combining the finest bleep and bass elements of the B12 sound into a versatile roller. Ping-pong percussive synth stabs created a softly hypnotic dynamic before the trademark dreamy pads breeze in, creating the most tangible moment of off-kilter bliss on the EP, and one which will have those lucky enough to have experienced those days first hand reeling with nostalgia.

Another essential work in Steven Rutter's essential catalogue of expertly crafted bleep techno, managing to breathe harmonious life into machines.