Quadra – Sketch From A Moment

Before Hiroshi Watanabe made his mark under the name Kaito, he managed to bring in some heavy-hitting techno with his earlier moniker Quadra. SKETCH FROM A MOMENT kicks off with the thick thump of "Outset" or the more mysterious mood of "Spiritual." Even "Water Lily" has a deep bass to moor it down, even as it blossoms on the surface of the water. But there's nothing subtle about the stomp of "Vector"; "Devastation," by comparison, is pretty shiny and seems to point towards to later work. "Phantom" slows things down for a downtempo moment, but "Winter" takes us firmly back to the floor, though with plenty of atmosphere. "Spell of Rain" has all the hallmarks that would soon develop into Kaito, and "Lumiosity" shows some of his self-indulgent side too. A fascinating early document from a man who would go on to do great things.