Liminality EP vinyl

Naturally, o.utlier is a maverick and a little bit of enigma, but we wouldn't expect anything less from an artist with such a name. Shady is good in our books, it keeps us guessing in a world dominated by information overload. We've seen him appear on Fred P's Soul People Music but, that was over two years ago, and we're glad to see his resurrection on the fast-growing Appian Sounds label out of east London. "Along The Gleaming", the lead track, is a misty, shape-shifting techno affair with a gloriously deep and ethereal framework that places it in the deeper end of the category alongside the likes of Donato Dozzy. The tune features Taro, who comes in for a 'reprise mix' that scraps the beats and leaves us with a gentle, beatless sway of airy harmonics. The B-side restores the meditative techno business with the impressive "Superoperator", a coiled groove of pseudo techno, followed by echoing beat pulses of "Requies", a fresh and compelling framework that uses its few elements to create maximum impact. A tipped and recommended 12" - but, don't sleep, these'll be gone soon!

Owen Jay, O.utlier, M50, Natan H, G-Prod, Carl H (ANIMALS ON PSYCHEDELICS )