killer harder chord tracks from Staim for fans of fjaak
After the first installment – a Various-Artists-EP with contributions by Matrixxman and multiple residents – Berlin-based party series and label Stützpunkt is back with its second release of the year. It seems like there was only one logical choice when it came to deciding which artist will be in charge of the young imprints first solo release. Therefore, SP002 features Staim, one of the initiators of the collective more than five years ago, and his very first solo release.
The record starts with its title track. "Chord141" superbly embodies Staim's signature style – New-School-Tribal. Hard-hitting percussions and jungle-inspired drum loops are racing each other on the highway of euphoria. All while the floating dub chords seem to enchant the framework with its fantastic spell.
For the second track of the A-side multifaceted producer Deapmash put "Chord141" through his remix treatment. Switching out the straight kick drum for a martial breakbeat and only partially adapting the chord progression, the French artist not only reinterprets but reinvents the original composition.
On the B-side, it's back to business. "Planet Groove" doubles down on the mantra that Staim has set for his music. Here, the chords are more playful while still remaining rough and focused, perfectly suited for any rave, anyplace, anytime. The record ends on a high note, as raw dance energy makes room for "Lost Places". Staim goes for a more abstract form of rave nostalgia and serves a broken beat accompanied by floating sounds of transcendent melancholy. With all of this, he doesn't lose his animation, still pursuing his energetic ideals.