CONFORCE Vinyl & CDs

Review: The prolific Dutch powerhouse that is Conforce (aka Versalife aka Boris Bunk amongst other things) is in techno mode here with this new green-marbled 12" on Syncrophone. Commuting Part 1 opens with the quick-stepping and deep dub techno rhythms of 'Octave Echoes' which is delightfully fluid. 'Stable Velocity' then bids up impossible smooth dub loops and watery pads into something buoyant and stirring both physically and emotionally, and 'Self Assessment' then ups the pace with thudding, infectious kicks and plenty of rippling synth details. 'Highway Hypnosis takes a more paranoid and stripped-back approach and closes out Conforce's finest EP in some time.

Review: Conforce and Delsin have long been entwined in a close musical relationship. Both are underground Dutch powerhouses who deal in fad-free, timeless electronic music. For this one, Conforce brings his deep and dubby brand of techno into the peak time slot. 'Charlatan' has punchy drum programming and squirrelling synth lines over hard hits, 'Parallax' is more atmospheric but just as full of sumptuous synth detail and 'Sector' goes dark and moody with menacing bass ringing out into a wide open space. 'Fragile' is a tripped out cosmic sound with bright melodies bring hope.