Review Summary: Rodney W.'s latest EP showcases his five-year journey as a UK-based grassroots sound producer in IDM, ambient, and minimal dance, featuring tracks that range from ambient/psych reminiscent pieces to breakbeat and experimental sounds, solidifying his place
Rodney W. is a grassroots sound producer from the UK, operating in the fields of IDM, ambient, and minimal dance. The latest EP release marks his achievements through the five years – and it’s a worthy contestant among the established pantheon of the genre.
The record starts with the self-titled Earth Tone x43 (from Nde mix) which is going to be very reminiscent for everyone familiar with ambient/psych pioneers. An exercise in keyboard mastery, the track is built around the backbone of exquisite FX choice and a nice melodic progression. And it doesn’t even get more saturated toward the end, it just buzzes to prepare for the next number.
Which is much more into breakbeat and Squarepusher-like stuff. One might remember the PS1-era game Rez – Earth Conjure v. 1.2 (Maimed Dog Mix) could have easily been in the soundtrack with all that popping beat structure and chaotic keys. The development here is focused on decreasing the density of the mix, making it lighter and lighter with each phase.
K-Sign9 (Magpie Mix) keeps the familiar keyboard style but adds a hefty dose of gritty gritty low low bass. Borderline grime tone, this one also is not afraid to explore classic drum and bass territories – and you can easily imagine an MC rapping over this one.
The closing track Solar Pigeon (In Rough Terrain mix) seems the most experimental one to me, as it adds a bit more to the bass variety department, increasing the beat tempos and adjusting the keyboard sound in ways unheard of before.
Lovely, just lovely to see the UK remaining a steady provider of intelligent dance stuff – and Rodney being in the forefront of the scene.
