Düve is a very mysterious project, probably due to the intense (albeit exotic) eastern folk instrumentation that populate their sonic structures. René Audiard & Ali Çakir have been exploring a bit of it all from crunchy techno grooves to emotionally charged slow drives, and
together they managed to create a very peculiar sonic balance that captivates from the moment it passes our ears.
Düve's Hargate' is a four-part voyage through the intricate musical roots, complex poli-rhythms and warm musicality of the eastern mediterranean lands. 'Esti' (A1) starts the EP in pure instrumental glory. Played by Adam Birson, the melody from the Oud is loud,
ethereal and emotionally charged, topped with sparkles of modulated synth patterns and pulsing noises for full meditative effect. The EP's title track 'Hargate' (A2) is soaked in a sort of nostalgia for sun-bathed Turkish soils, but under it there's a ever-moving train of
remarkable rhythmic endulgence and a very human sense of groove. A tour-de-force in balance between musicality and arrangement that stays with you like fata morgana.
The flip-side goes deeper and darker in ambience. While 'Yek Tas' (B1) feels like a 4-by-4 hichhicker's guide through underground Istanbul and built around the tension and release
of drum-echoes and reverberized pads, 'Sehayat' (B2) brings back the sound (and emotion)
of Ali's darbuka/santur and Soren's complex drum arrangements for a slow, dreamy drive.
This EP was visually interpreted by Juli Jah in a hand-made artistic depiction of Istanbul,
extraordinarily fitting to this installment of an ever strengthening series of releases Pluie/Noir
collectors grew accustomed to. Limited Pressing.
Japan: the land of the rising sun and one of the worlds biggest havens for creative,
forward-thinking musical freedom. Masters of a infinite number of stripped down, funk
infused brands of electronic music, the japanese crews of music makers are usually teams
of noble perfectionists.
Consistently shining a bright guiding light on the japanese scene, Radiq (aka Yoshihiro
Hanno) remains one of Japans best exports and the reflection of what it means to be a true
musician while managing his own japan-talent-only imprint Op.Disc with wit and will.
Rhapsody' adds to the chameleon's release catalog a 4-tracker of deep musicality, expansive
4x4 examinations and textured realms that ebb and flow between dance-focused sonatas and the
kaleidoscopic intimate travels, and ultimately begging a listen all the way through. The title
track 'Rhapsody' (A) is Yoshihiro's signature exploration of humanized rhyrhms, crisp claps
and deep low-ends that ebb and flow with a very peculiar organic steadiness. Circulatory
Breathes' (B) uses micro-house patterns as starting point to build something more intricate
where robotic movements remain constantly intertwined with amoebic perc-samples, vocal
snippets, groove swings and jazzy synths. Clocking at 14 minutes, the dreamy and deeply
absorbing Antigone' (C) is the EP's longest work, and a true hypnotic anthem that works
like a musical vortex. Radiq's artistic indulgence culminates with Sad Strings' (D), the
EP's jazziest exploration around heavy drum programming and dramatic mood shifts.
The double EP was visually interpreted by Max Binski in a heavily textured acrylic painting,
giving this release the visual perk Pluie/Noir collectors grew accustomed to. Limited Pressings.