Manchester-based outfit – they’re more than just a label – Sprechen, have lined up an E.P. from local artist, Luke Martin, who records under the moniker Sun Sone. The 4 cuts showcase some fine, forward-thinking, chilled out machine music. Pretty programmed pieces, that aren’t your run of the mill soft-synth sunset symphonies. Take the opening, hushed, humming Helicoidal, which is fucked up / fucked around with funky electronic folk.* Its clip-clopping, flip-flopping, gently lapping techno tide, and serrated synth hook, summoning sunshine and blue skies. Pitting playful polyrhythms against big bass tones, drones, and woodwind-like whistles. Wheezing and waltzing like a plugged-in, post-dubstep Penguin Cafe Orchestra / PCO.  

Farsighted follows that, a layered labyrinth of interlocking acoustic loops (OMENA?), heady with hypnotic repetition, and tied to a pumping mid-tempo thump. The track’s breakdowns harbouring heavenly harp-like harmonies, while the strings have a decidedly “spiritual” air. The results a bit like acid house meets the Alice Coltrane-influenced jazz of fellow Mancunians, Gondwana Records. 

Dolphin swims amid samples of seashell shakers, while the tune’s keys sing like ancient reeds – calling forth Andean, Aztec, panpipe-like melodies. The closing, All That Glitters, is perhaps the highlight – a gamelan gathering of assorted struck iron and steel objects, that has the feel of a percussive, ceremonial procession. The Oriental / Asian timbres, the zing of a zither – a koto? – conjuring a Zen temple vibe. There are fretless bass frequencies, and a slowly emerging, totally spirit-lifting theme, and the synergy of the 2 together had me thinking of Ryuichi Sakamoto’s mid-80s output. Stuff like his Illustrated Musical Encyclopedia, and especially, Tibetan Dance. Another point of reference might be Sakamoto’s spar, Haroumi Hosono’s work from around a decade later, when the YMO founder began filtering his exotica obsession through ambient and trance. 

Sun Sone’s A Colour Under Blue will be released by Sprechen on September 6th, and you can preorder a copy here.

Prior to that, ahead of release, Sprechen will also be hosting a free Bandcamp listening party, later this week, on September 1st. You can RSVP by clicking this link. 

*Like a wonderfully warped, wonky relative of that Golden Retriever E.P. on Omena.