Donato Dozzy - K

DONATO DOZZY - K

Further Records

At a time when the majority of techno producers seem to be aligning themselves with anything dark and remotely subterranean in order to possibly get the chance of playing at Berlin’s Berghain, it’s captivating to hear music made that firmly eschews this shadowy and ultimately somewhat boring furrow to seek out new directions. Rome-based Donato Scaramuzzi has steadily built up a reputation as a DJ of some considerable elan in the last few years, aided by his now legendary appearances at the Labyrinth festival in Japan. There’s a faint component of what one might term trance in his style, but it’s important to remember that this is an essential element of techno music. For me, it brings back memories of that golden period of around 1992 - 1994 when the word “uplifting” wasn’t tarred by association; when ambient, trance, trance, breakbeat and electro weren’t put in separate sections.

Dozzy’s skill is firmly with his sense of timing and anticipation. On K he masters these alongside tones and space with the craft of an artisan, which makes it all the more surprising that this is in fact his debut album. At just under 60 minutes, it’s a psychedelic journey through a range of atmospheres and tonal hallways that is as beguiling as it is listenable. There are no track titles and it’s mixed at times quite quickly into two separate pieces, with the range of BPMs starting ever so slowly and then building patiently. Indeed that’s probably the best adverb to describe Dozzy’s languid approach to the album as you’re propelled along by warm analogue tones that occupy the prime position in the mix. Each component has its place but the overarching feeling is a pleasant sense of quiet, sensible euphoria. The sound design throughout is impeccable and whilst matters are sedate for some period, like all great DJs, Dozzy mixes these separate pieces with just the right amount of palpable tension to keep you listening throughout.

The second half follows a typically rising BPM narrative, but there’s time for uncertainty and ambiguity in the middle phase that adds just the right iota of drama to proceedings, with nods to Robert Henke in a section that bristles with sonic brilliance. K ends with a single, subtle acid line and swirling atmospheric washes, highlighting with adroitness that you don’t need to rely on rhythm in techno to produce music of great substance.

K marshalls older, more resonant themes that are beginning to become lost in a miasma of joyless hypnotic techno. Dozzy’s application of sound design and mastery of tonal themes resurrects the notion of why we loved the music in the first place and it’s a step in the right direction away from the cold, dark elements of techno that seem so popular right now. Although it’s an ambiguous album in sense of emotion, there’s a warm vision behind it.

Toby Frith

Comments

[Pete]

Definitely one of the best releases of the year and one to kick back on the sofa with a set of good cans on, and just bliss out to. The mood and feel of this album is quite extraordinary, as also are the dynamics of it. I just never seem to tire of it. Beautiful stuff indeed.