Blanchimont is Nurmad Jusat’s third E.P. as Nuron for De:Tuned. His first since the Belgian label unearthed his incredible DAT tapes from 1993 / 94. The new record lifts its name from another of Nurmad’s passions, Formula 1 racing (1). If you check the Nuron Discogs page you’ll see a photo of him climbing out of an F1 car. Stavelot is the town where the Spa Francorchamps Gran Prix circuit is located (2). Musically, here, it’s represented by techno with a time signature far removed from a straightforward 4 / 4. The kick kicks, but the details dance to a totally different drum, and romantic strings keep the overall vibe kinda chilled. While the production looks back to Nurmad’s incredible early 90s records, it also references UKG and modern bass heavy R&B.

Masta, or “The Masta Kink” – was the course’s most dangerous complex left-right corner. For safety’s sake, races since 1979 have taken a different route. Ironically, its musical counterpart is the E.P.’s most “ambient” moment. Its rhythm initially a mere flickering before being joined by a more boisterous post-electro punch. Its whispered keys, like a warm summer breeze.

The title track’s namesake is Spa Francorchamps’ fastest strait. Drivers keep the throttle flat to the floor and hit the apex of “The White Mountain” at over 310kph. The tune is, appropriately the release’s paciest piece. Boasting big room banging and a busy, buzzing, sharp, darting main synth riff. However, there’s something of Manuel Göttsching’s E2-E4 about the sustained and phased background swells, and as a consequence the cut feels like a more techno take on Don Carlos’ Italian “Paradise House”.

NOTES
(1) Nurmad paid tribute to Spa Francorchamps as far back as 1996. Naming a track Eau Rouge – after another of the circuit’s famous turns – on Likemind E.P. 04
(2) The circuit itself is depicted in the E.P.’s artwork.

Nuron’s Blanchimont E.P. is out now on De:tuned.