Ramin* – Vol. I - Essence Of Ecstasy EP

Ramin was a frequent visitor on PCP, and I like to describe this EP as "Pcp style early 90s club techno".

This deserves a repress, I hate when releases that aren't rare sell for big bucks due to demand!

Funny thing is that this was super cheap for years before someone hype it.

You know what that means, price hikes up the wazoo!

The track 'reality' has a cheeky great sample from 808 State if I'm not mistaken. If you know the album 90 you won't be able to miss it.

An outstanding EP of various styles, Ramin really showed his class on this very progressive release.

Starting off with I Can't Understand we get a clubby house vibe running along with a wonderful, warm (almost acidic) bassline until the 2 minute mark; a lush pad flows in, full of Eastern promise and instantly the track is transformed into prototype Progressive Trance. A very forward thinking track indeed, as it combines elements from trance to house to techno, yet it still manages to include the obligatory 1991 "whoo" rave sample!

Reality takes a darker, more tribal approach. Still with hints of melody, but this time surrounded by trippy effects and a more aggressive bassline. At times it reminds me of The Future Sound Of London, but with more emphasis on a rigid 4/4 structure.

Ueberleben (Survive) is perhaps the most "1991" sounding of the four tracks. A stuttered rap sample grooves over more dark bassline action and, much like this entire EP, very intricate & tight percussion.

The final track, (Where Is My) Ecstasy, is mind blowing. Sounding much like material The Hacker would produce over ten years later, it's a proper head-trip of freaked out vocals and schizophrenic acid.

This release is amazing for the simple fact it was released as early as 1991. You could honestly get away with these tracks in sets now, and no-one would think anything of it. You can't say that about many 20-year-old records.

See you in 2017 indeed.