Daniel Avery: Drone Logic (Free MP3) Vinyl 2LP

Daniel Avery's music stands out from the crowd around him. In an era where underground dance producers are leaning towards hyper-rhythmic minimalism and throwback New Jersey garage, he takes a sharp turn in the opposite direction. His sound is big and his productions even larger. Drone Logic is big beat, acid house and exquisite Detroit techno all rolled into one. Avery's sound may be retro, but he doesn't look in the same places as the producers currently looking to the breakbeat hardcore of the early 90s. It's more of a classicist techno sound, geared towards clubs like London's Fabric where Avery cut his teeth as a resident DJ. There is bass that is meant to be felt, along precision tuned sounds aimed at all the right targets. The production quality and attention to detail gives Drone Logic a modern sheen that sets it apart from a lot of what is coming out now. I mean, when Andrew Weatherall is calling your sound "gimmick-free machine-funk of the highest order," you can't be doing much wrong. The rhythms may be simple, at least when you look around the contemporary dance music underground, but that leaves plenty of room to focus on the acid-dusted basslines and massive synth riffs. This is music for the heart of the dance floor.

• music label: Phantasy Sound 2013

reviewed by Michu Meszaros 11/2013