CIGNOL Vinilo y CD

Review: Irish electro don Cignol is back on Furthur Electronix with more of his top class sonic excursions. He opens this latest EP with 'Glee Arch' which pairs far-sighted chords with celestial pads and broken rhythms. 'Keyss' is a melancholic piece with meaningful chords front and centre and pixelated keys macing around the edges as the woodpecker beats provide the motion. The tenderness of his synths and keys continues on 'Electrob' which has more plaintive melodies paired with bristling beats and then closer 'Staying On Drugs' is a colourful and loose rhythm that feels like it might all fall apart.

Review: You could well argue that the electro sound of today would be very different - or certainly lacking - without the faultless input of Cignol, aka Paul Hammock. Since around 2008, he has been serving up the gold and now comes another example of that on the Valencian label HC Records. Binary Choices finds him heading deep into a world of cosmic melody, celestial bodies and dreamy atmospheres. As always, the artist manages to combine intelligent pads, synths and percussions with sleek drum programming that powers the trip in style. Whether the acid tinged opener or melancholy of 'Broken Circle' is out favourite is hard to choose, and pointless. All four cuts are essential.

Review: The Spanish Hypnotic Collective label attempts to capture its take on the Detroit Legacy with what looks like a new series of various artists' EP. There is plenty of Motor City soul in the gorgeous synths of Cignol's muted acid and deep house opener 'Distance' which is a soothing and reverential groove, but then its pure party from Barce, Alex Martin offers up 313 style tech and three further tunes on the flip explore blistering electro with high-speed funk and cosmic intent. Mission accomplished and we're already looking forward to the next one.