Vertical Ascent LP

2 x 12" : £ 14.99

The fastidious density of sound, the massive bass and detailed upper registers (Ricardo Villalobos has called Vertical Ascent ‘a frequency massage’), the stripped, stepping repetitiousness, the seriousness — all present and correct, these signatures of Moritz' work with Mark Ernestus as Basic Channel, Maurizio, and Rhythm And Sound. The startling newness here stems from the qualities of live performance — the driving, clattering percussion in particular, and the loose, improvisatory approach — and the exploded palette of sounds, including a trace of steel drums, and something like a cuica. The Trio is Moritz alongside Vladislav Delay (whose early records were released on the Basic Channel imprint Chain Reaction) and Max Loderbauer (from NSI, on Sahko). At the heart of their epic excursions here is a dream crossing of classic Berlin techno, On-The-Corner Miles Davis, Larry Heard and Can, as at home with calypso as it is Stravinsky.