John Heckle

UK first press 2012. Record plays EX.
As the artwork suggests, this record is loosely unified under a tropical theme, all vivid psychedelic tones, steamy forest-floor antics and the occasional shaft of dazzling light. "Doctor Catz" cruises lusciously along in typical Heckle fashion, its busy bassline and syncopated flurries of percussion dusted with glimmering, artful melodics. The opening of "1-7 main, 8-9 recurring," meanwhile, is a fine example of Heckle's ability to balance the propulsive and the mathematical: its central riff leaps around, following some indecipherable sequence, sparring with complex tom and hi-hat patterns. Relief comes in the form of rich pads, strings and some unobtrusive keys towards the midpoint; though an unrewarding trebly quality to the mix, here and elsewhere, detracts from the warmth somewhat.