M Plant US Vinyl & CDs

Review: A taster for Robert Hood's second Floorplan album, this EP puts a spotlight on the radical nature of his musical transformation. On "Music", the visceral rhythms of techno minimalism are gone; in their place is a rolling, tracky groove that boasts a repetitive vocal loop and which has shades of classic Relief /Derrick Carter. "Tell You No Lie" is even more impressive. It sees Hood use a gospel vocal over a stomping, funk guitar-sampling disco house workout. There is an audibly religious dimension to "Tell You No Lie," but Hood's knack for writing a great tune means that it sounds celebratory rather than self-indulgent or preachy.

Review: While Floorplan's line-up now also contains his daughter, Lyric Hood, for years the project was a solo alias of Detroit techno maestro Robert Hood. This two-tracker dates from that period, with both cuts originally appearing on M-Plant sub-label Duet way back in 2002. Two decades on, both still sound fresh and are excellent examples of Hood's full-bodied but minimalistic approach to Motor City techno. 'Shop' sees him layer looped organ notes, freestyle, high-register synth solos and angular electronics over a driving, locked-in techno beat, while 'Learn' is deeper and more hypnotic with plenty of energy-building TR-909 drum machine fills, psychedelic acid tweaks and faintly foreboding electronic riffs.