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MAPSTATION, "A Way to Find the Day"

Staubgold
To Rococo Rot's Stefan Schneider is Mapstation, the solo project inwhich the bassist focuses more on the layering of electro sounds andtextures. At times minimalist in approach, this third disc continues inthe direction of an interesting compositional style. The introductionof what at first appears as simple sounding ideas are subtly built uponusing various rhythms, synth patches and digital found sounds untilthey have formed a beautiful soundscape. Each of the disc's eleventracks has a unique development and outcome. "Two Landscapes" openswith deep and lilting synth tones which act as a percussive elementwhile various patches drift in and out stating a general melody andmotif. "More People Than Two" is comprised of a lullaby-soundingrepetitive keyboard with a bassline that weaves nicely into the mix ofethereal chords and distant pulses. Reggae singer Ras Donovan guests onthe tracks "New Direction" (released as a 12") and "Wake Up," whichcould be seen as minimalist dub, maintaining the rhythmic keyboard ofthe style. This is definitely one for the headphones.

 

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