Rrose ‎– Merchant Of Salt

This is epic.

"Merchant Of Salt" is a promising step for Rrose, whose previous efforts have met both critical appraisal and arose the public's curiosity. However, despite an undeniable level of quality, I missed that one last tap on the shoulder in order to give it my full attention.
Well, it seems that I've received on a golden tray what I asked for, ten fold. It appears that Rrose has honed in on the finest aspects of previous works for Sandwell District, and exerted them with richer production values and further exploration of sonic textures.
Whereas "Primary Evidence" had two mighty fine minimal techno work outs on the verge of dubbed out hypnosis, this one exceeds its charms by adding multiple lavish layers, a propeller like bass line, ethereal soundscapes and radar bleeps. The tracks produce an almost trance like feel, with evocative, constantly shifting patterns blended in perfect harmony with the lovely loops and the icy beats. Shepherd's Brine is a true gem.

Flip it over for Waterfall. More of the exuberant techno goodness, which, despite employing 4/4 rhythms, relies more on charming, steady miniscule musical progression, and the gorgeous hypnotic strucuture guiding the music to its inevitable climax some four minutes deep. Once the crescendo is up, the coast back down is mellow yet maintaining smooth continuous micromelodic trickery to the very end. Call the end result narcotic, call it sublime, but this is a 12" to be cherished for months to come.

Imagine yourself on the dance floor, envelopped by a cloud of thick smoke, the people around you are nothing but silhouettes, mere shapes and life forms trying to figure out what is happening, and then out of the blue the most unexpected, bizzare, multi layered avalanche of deep beats and hovering, throbbing bass lines hand in hand with the freakiest, tripped out techno passages just hit you and involuntarily make you move in erratic sudden sweeps... Who cares? No one is watching. Majestic release in my book, and an absolute must buy.