Title: "Complexity Moving To Simplicity"

Artist: SPECIES

Rec Label: UGR

Cat No: 005

Release date:  end of November

SPECIES - Complexity Moving To Simplicity

1. Ultimatum
2. Bonobo
3. radioACTIVE
4. Red Spectral Skywalker
5. Angels
6. Str8 Suicide
7. Greasy Fingers feat. Dino Psaras
8. Electronic Gangster
9. Brainstorming

Few labels can claim to have raised the standard in such a short time frame, release after release, as Ultragroove Records have in only 5 releases.  A strong reference amidst a scene of waning musical quality, the Belgrade based label has churned out a remarkable sequence of compilations that blast the world over and comfortably sit in the stash-bags of the world's mightiest DJ's.

Species' Complexity Moving to Simplicity is Ultragroove's first artist album, and probably the label's best release yet.  As rare a spectacle it is to hear a musician's work emanate the sensation of effortless simplicity and mesmerizing complexity as one and the same, Aki successfully sheathes this dual quality into a work of powerful elegance.  Where the original duo (Aki and Eli) heavily focused on their innate knack for the unusual, Aki has retained this inquisitive appetite for new sounds, yet permeates each track with a more palpable musical identity.  Fans will pleasantly recognize the eeriness and "serious" moods segue throughout the album, while the most exigent DJ's will revel in the "hi-tech" sprinkles and sonic acrobatics in delightful alignment with contemporary taste. 

Meticulously arrayed elements surmise rhythmic bursts and explosions of trance-imbued abandon, as a sense of total control dominates the graceful arrangements.

Altering pace and context via diversity, as displayed in album opener Ultimatum and Angels (tracks n.1 and n.5 - nocturnal dance floor grinders par excellence) or in Str8 Suicide (track n.6 - a bouncier ‘journey' track with more space between the beats), the album is a joy for dancer and listener, producer and punter alike.  Tracks like Electronic Gangster, Brainstorming and RadioACTIVE (tracks n.8, 9 and 3 respectively) display in full force the rhythmic inertia and colorful arrangement pleasantries that encapsulate Ultragroove's unique take on "groove".  Red Spectral Skywalker and Bonobo (tracks n.4 and 2 respectively) then sit amidst the above as the funkier, more playful side of Species, luring in unsuspecting crowds to the rest of the album.  Finally, we have Aki's collaboration track Greasy Fingers (track n.7) with another heavyweight: Dino Psaras (Cydonia / Krome Angels) where the two flex their skills on a rollercoaster ride in no-holds-barred, avant-garde electronica.

Following on the blazing trails of the Species debut album Groove Don't Come Easy (Etnicanet Records), Complexity Moving To Simplicity stands as a more evolved and coherent album where the unflinchingly dance floor oriented feel blends with highly original e-music language and psychedelic bursts.  An instant classic.

www.ultragrooverec.com

www.myspace.com/ultragrooverecords

Posted by ..::: V :::.. on Friday 02 January 2009 - 13:08:02
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