Fortune8
Fortune8’s nearly simultaneous release of six limited-edition 12-inches (in three colors each, including the test pressings) may mark the beginning of the end of the colored vinyl collecting fad. The first rule of playing the supply and demand game is don’t flood the market. That said, there are some good tracks here, alongside a few that sound rather familiar.
Soultek: Untitled (888-09)
Fortune8, 2007
The six EPs are two releases each from Soultek, Echospace, and cv313, all Rod Modell and Stephen Hitchell aliases. Soultek’s untitled EP (catalog number 888-09) is the most original of the bunch. “Clouds Overhead” is funky and spacey. It reminds me of an eighties video game. “Lost in Love” begins with piano which is then joined by a hip-hop beat. Electric bass, flute stabs, and muted horn combine for a smooth downtempo electronic groove. “Lighter Path” makes good use of intertwined analogue synths. It’s quite cheerful and melodic. Unfortunately for this review, my copy of Soultek’s 888-10 release (in gold or black and gold vinyl) has yet to arrive. I hope it’s just as good!
Echospace: Sonorous
Echospace: Obmx
Fortune8, 2007
Echospace’s contributions bring the bass, but the guts of these tracks are basic 4:4 rhythms and standard tape loop echo. Both versions of “Sonorous” are downright sleep-inducing with all of the dub techno clichés. “Obmx (Original Version)” is muddy percussion and a simple synth line, the gimmick being dropped beats here and there. I’m disappointed how unoriginal these tracks sound, especially considering how much I loved The Coldest Season.
cv313: Galaxy313
cv313: Deepspace
Fortune8, 2007
Cv313’s 12-inches sound a bit fresher. On Galaxy 313, “Affiniti” has one of those chunky tech-house basslines that’s hard to resist, but the tune is rather simple. The title track is repetitive techno but with some interesting filtering in the hi-hats. “Oceans” is nice, quiet ambience. Deepspace’s title track is nineties-style techno with aquatic-sounding synths. “Saraya” on the flip is well-produced, but unemotional. Weirdly textured bass kicks in at the end. Finally, “Motor” is bottom-heavy and unmemorable.
So it’s a mixed bag from In Sync’s relatively new label, but Fortune8 is certainly worth keeping an eye on. I just wouldn’t worry about collecting each and every color.
