Syncrophone sub-label Phonogramme returns this September with Alix Alavarez’ ‘Memory Banks’ EP, comprising four originals from the New York native. Raised in the Bronx, New York, producer and DJ Alix spent his formative years mixing records from the likes of Todd Terry, Little Louie Vega, and working in the Vinylmania record store, leading to a broad musical education in the New York and global electronic music scene.
Alix also worked at Masters At Work’s studio as an engineer, in addition to co-running Sole Channel with Mr.V amongst other things. This foundation of knowledge shines through in his productions and his back-catalogue has a quality over quantity approach on the likes of Real Tone, Sole Channel, Taverna Tracks and Ovum.
Leading on the package is ‘Formant’ with fluttering hypnotic pads, choppy square wave bass hits, bright dubby chords and a bumpy swinging rhythm before ‘Glass Houses’ edges into even deeper territory with ethereal, billowing pads, an acid-tinged wandering bass groove and crunchy drums.
‘Waves’ opens the flip side next, this time round employing Dub Techno tropes with murky synth echoes, lumpy low-end tones and dynamic 909 percussion before closing cut ‘Anime’ lays focus on resonant acid bleep, choppy string samples and an ever-evolving, dance floor focused drum workout.
Alix Alvarez’ ‘Memory Banks’ EP is out on Phonogramme 3 September.
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