Michael Cleis // Mir a Nero [Pampa Records]
Best known for the South American chugger, ‘La Mezcla’ that exploded onto the scene via Cadenza Records in early 2009 then was propelled onto almost every house comp that year via Strictly Rhythm. It’s fair to say Michael Cleis is a well kent face in house circles. Its also fair to say that for every person enchanted by his vision of classical motifs, multi-layered percussion and Andean nose flutery there is another who is shouting ‘Give it a rest, Mike’
Will his latest EP split the crowd in such a way? Well, lets find out. ‘Mir a Nero’ is typical Cleis – Half a bar of piano and Latin percussion weave around forever and a day building tension before giving way to a repetitive Latin vocal refrain and piano. For all its musicality, and that can’t be denied – it’s basic tension and release stuff. Good, but not as good or as fresh as ‘La Mezcla’
On the flip, ‘Amaranthus’ is, in the words of the press release, ‘a colour negative of the original,’ which is a far better description than I could have come up with so I’ll make no bones about A) using it and B) giving credit wheres it due. Anyway, back to the track. It’s dark, moody and dubby and exactly the sort of thing I’d want to dance to after the sun has gone down and the nose flutes have been packed away.
Release Date: Out Now
Words: Gareth Sommerville
