Bleep

German producer / drum journeyman Benjamin Kövener aka Exchampion brings his textural electronica to M=Maximal, his debut for the Berlin based imprint. ‘Shadow Boxing’ is a fine sampling of his sound, a blend of deft drumming, exploratory electronics and psychedelic pedal processing that calls to mind Kieran Hebden’s more spontaneous work. The gorgeous ‘Sinking Ships (Calm Before The Storm Version)’ is soulful, organic 2-step, à la early Floating Points. ‘Buried Ships’ employs emotive synths and glitched percussion, building to a rather intense climax, while the original version of ‘Sinking Ships’ packs just as much emotion as the alternate, along with more powerhouse drumming.