Random XS - The Return (click to buy)
A side: Errant (feat. Binaural) 11:49
B side: Truant (feat. Lost Trax) 9:53
Released on Shipwrec (SHIP032). First run in red vinyl.
Shipwrec is turning back the clock and paying deserved respect to a giant in dutch acid. Active in the 90s, Random XS delivered high octane, 303 drenched, techno on the trailblazing Djax-Up-Beats like few others could. "Errant" and "Truant" have been reclaimed from '97, the first seeing them team up with fellow djaxer Binaural with the latter being a collaboration with Lost Trax (of Tabernacle fame.) The emblematic TB303 is at the heart of the EP. Acid lines melt and reform behind distant bleeps for "Errant". Lush chords ebb behind scuttling hi-hats in a deep journey of subaquatic electronics. "Truant" keeps that bubbling energy, teetering on the boundary between techno and ambient the track leads the listener deeper and deeper into a sonic labyrinth. An historic EP of texture and thump.
Juno review:
Here's something of a surprise treat for techno fans: a first 12" in 20 years from legendary Dutch acid techno combo Random XS. The two tracks featured were originally recorded, but never released, in the '90s, and have been brought back to life by Random XS in collaboration with other producers. "Errant", which was co-produced by fellow Djax-Up Beats graduate Binaural, is a spacey affair, with undulating acid lines working in tandem with woozy chords, bubbling electronic melodies and clattering analogue percussion. Lost Trax lends a hand on flipside cut "Truant", which explores deeper techno territory via relentless rhythms, percussive builds, darkly ambient chords and deep space electronics.
