IGAXX Vinyl & CDs

Review: Will Hofbauer and Igaxx collaboratively expand the all-too-easily received palettes of electro, techno, garage all in between, and even more yonder, proving to us that the boundary edges of each genre may be blurred without worry. Sharing three groove-bays each on this latest 12", Hofbauer indulges an across-the-pond sojourn, guesting on Japan's Ladybug label, which is managed by the also eminent Igaxx, who occupies the B with equal grip. Hofbauer's 'Cricket', 'Clod' and 'Cocodrilo' bring three endocrine C's to a singly sanguine side, echoing a Hessle Audio-esque experimental dance sensibility while secreting all manner of vital sonic fluids from his ears unto ours; the last track is especially alarming; cursedly toothy, its growly lead zombifying the elsewise rapid mix by way of an enthralled grunt. Igaxx's contributions are relatively supportive and yet mad, moving from the squelches and pipey ascensions of '4 5 SL Trip' to the parabreaks flows of 'Liquefy' and the sloshing cosmo-funk astro-vista that is 'Ray In Space'.

Review: Since first appearing on vinyl 12 years ago, Tokyo-based Igaxx has periodically offered up EPs on the likes of Macadam Mambo, Angis Music and his own Ladybug imprint. Now he's brought his particular brand of house music to fast-rising French imprint Phonogramme for the first time. The Japanese producer begins by delivering a deep, dark, heady and off-kilter take on deep acid house ('Acid Calm'), before doffing a cap to the greats of 1990 Japanese deep house on the gorgeous and analogue-rich 'Time To Move'. 'Sub Space' pairs vintage drum machine beats and deep, dubby sub-bass with all manner of sweaty percussion fills and mind-mangling noises, while 'Altitude' is deep space house straight from the top shelf.