Open Space’s first outing was a remix of the Bullion-led Nautic. Released around a decade ago, Freedom Of The Floor has gone on to become a bit of a modern Balearic classic. The duo’s latest offering, a 3-track E.P., finds them teamed up again with Nautic vocalist, Laura Groves, and launching a new label, Test Pressing Catalogue. 

A spin-off from the respected music-based website / forum, the imprint’s tag-line is something to the tune of “for the club, and beyond, made with longevity in mind.” With Apiento on production, keys come care of Andrew Hale – ex of `80s pop / soul / style icons Sade – and Open Space’s music, in a sound byte, could be described and Andrew’s former band in dub. Stripped right back, and subjected to seismic 21st / 22nd Century subs. An exercise, perhaps, in just how much can you remove and still retain the sex and slinky groove. Deeper even than Dmitris Papadatos’ Jay Glass Dubs. 

Sure, there are other reference points, such as the radical reggae reductions of Winsome and Sugar Records, echoes of Hot Weather, the pair’s previous hook up with Lexx and Harriet Brown, plus Apiento’s singles on World Building. Especially Mad Professor’s marvellous minimal makeover of his Things We Do For Love.

On Tied, synths rise and fall in warm soothing waves. The low-end ain’t a line, more an “invisible” room-shaking boom. Laura’s voice is a delicate swoon. Heaven in her high notes. Sparse percussion peppers the piece, which simmers, subtle, seductive, sophisticated. An atmosphere rather than a song as such. One for late nights, pretty tinkling ivories provide pinpoints of light in the dark. Hale’s piano cascades like a lover’s caress. On the flip, Control continues the peaceful percolation, Laura’s intimate whispers this time accompanied by cool organ chords, while climbing to a chorus of climatic multi-tracked overdubs, bleeps, bass, and fusion-flavoured solos. 

Open Space’s Tied / Control is up for pre-order from Test Pressing Catalogue.