Mono Junk – FP008
Is Forbidden Planet doing for techno what Mannequin and Dark Entries has done for wave and Italo, pushing ‘90s producers back into the spotlight? Having reissued The Mover’s hardcore classic “Nightflight (Nonstop To Kaos)” last year, the Canadian label refocuses efforts on contributing to the re-emergence of Mono Junk, aka Finnish techno artist Kimmo Rapatti.
For the uninitiated, Rapatti set up the Dum label during the early ‘90s, around the same time when Sähkö Recordings was established. While it is true that Rapatti may not have received as much attention as Sähkö’s roster or indeed Rob Hood and Dan Bell, this second release on Forbidden Planet and a recent outing on Skudge White is making him more visible than ever.
“Prince of the Night” has all the signature minimal elements – crisp, nagging percussion, punchy drums and a looped element. In this instance, it has a particularly musical dimension as synths and strings soar dramatically towards one another on a collision course before doing it all over again a few bars later. In contrast, “Suomen Moroderit Theme” is a completely different proposition. It sounds like Rapatti was listening closely to the Viewlexx back catalogue or maybe his outing on Stilleben a few years ago has had a lasting effect. Whatever the explanation, “Suomen Moroderit Theme” centres on an over the top electronic disco pulse and epic synth melodies, like Alden Tyrell on happy pills.
Rapatti’s almost schizophrenic journey continues on the remix of “Channel B”. Released on Styrax Leaves back in 2006, this new version is led by chiming, dubbed out chords and a simple back beat. The last track, “Maaliskuu” sees another shift in sound. Furious hats and heads-down kicks provide the backing for warbling electronic tones and breathless Detroit pads. FP008 doesn’t have the singular vision of Hood’s Minimal Nation or the DBX classic Losing Control, but it does shine a light on an artist of considerable stature.
Richard Brophy
Tracklisting:
A1. Prince Of The Night
A2. Suomen Moroderit Theme
B1. Channel B Remix
B2. Maaliskuu