Datassette aka John Davies has been recording music for over a decade, carving out a niche as a respected purveyor of electro and electronica. He’s recorded and self-released an impressive discography from CD-R, net-labels and small independents, but it was his album for Ai Records in 2008 that first brought him to Apollo Records’ attention. He’s also remixed the likes of Röyksopp, Mark Archer and Al Tourettes.

Datassette continues Apollo’s tradition of releasing rich, musical electronica and follows on nicely from classic releases from the likes of Robert Leiner, Biosphere, David Morley and Andrea Parker.

The four tracks on this varied EP explore classic electro sounds with contemporary arrangements, blurring the boundaries of half-step rhythms. Part 1 of Cagney XOR Lacey has an almost jazzy feel with the bassline having free rein to wander. Part 2 uses similar micro-sampled vocals, but moves along at a more head nodding pace that recalls Klavierwerke era James Blake if he had been brought up on Drexciya rather than Mala.

“Helvetica Calcium” is probably the most DJ friendly cut- proper Electrofunk with seriously heavy bass and some 8bit rave pianos bounced in from 1992.

“Vacuform” finishes things off in classic Electro style on a 1980s Sheffield / Düsseldorf axis.

12″ / Digital

A1 – Cagney XOR Lacey (Part 1)
A2 – Vacuform
B1 – Helvetica Calcium
B2 – Cagney XOR Lacey (Part 2)

 http://datassette.net/