Kike Mayor and He Did founded Saint and Don't, an independent label that is based in Brooklyn and Lima, Peru, back in 2014 with big things in mind. Four years later, the label has flourished, benefiting from its diverse roots and it has promoted quality underground house and techno sounds from household names in the industry ever since.
With previous installments that included well-established names in the underground scene like Felipe Valenzuela, Dubsons and Dorian Paic, it seems like Pheek is a natural fit for the latest release in the limited series by Saint and Don't.
Pheek, who adopted his name after a Richie Hawtin/Plastikman performance that forever changed his perspective on music, was interested in acid house and raves as early as his childhood in his native Canada. The founder of Archipel, a well-respected Canadian label, has more than 15 years behind the decks and releases at labels such as Minus or Epsilonlab. He has developed, over time, an irresistible style of creating and playing music.
The first track of the Collages EP, There's Still Hope, offers some powerful no-nonsense minimal techno sounds that go perfectly with just a pinch of an acid layer over the linear but enthralling bass line. The straightforward percussions that can be heard continuously only make this track even more alluring.
Next up, Ces Gens, goes towards a more playful approach, but nevertheless delivers some energetic bass lines. The thing here is to look out for the layers upon layers of different patterns that will emerge after the first half of the track, which make Ces Gens probably the most complex musical work from this release.
Peak Peak By You, the third track, is certainly something else. With a commanding bassline that never leaves us, this one creates the perfect after-hours atmosphere. Some freaky noises coupled with a mosaic of effects and sounds in the background will give you the chills and leave you wanting for more once the track is finished.
We cross the finish line with J'imaginais Des Forets, probably the most uplifting of the lot. A haunting vocal sprinkled all over the place and constant mighty industrial sounds in the background remind us of Pheek's eclectic approach to music.
