N1_Sound’s debut long-player takes its title from Roland’s DiN Sync electronic instrument interface. Launched in 1980, this was superseded a few years later by more versatile and reliable MIDI. However, here, the vintage system was used to introduce error and imperfection, with the aim of giving the mechanical music a more human touch. 

The bulk of the tunes build on the drum machine-driven sonics of N1_Sound’s second E.P., Shake Your Trunk. Rude rhythm box boom and rattle shaping shots of slow, skanking electro-soul. On the opening Horizontal Hang this is sweetened by rippling, aquatic chimes. Where snares are wet splashes, programmed percussion pops, percolates, and cascades of hand claps echo Man Parrish’s Hip Hop Be Bop. Clearly influenced by folks such as SeekersInternational and their deconstruction of dancehall and soundsystem street soul. Sparse, spaced out, with the bottom end beefed up to 11. The production reflecting, consolidating N1_Sound’s polished work for label mates T3AL and Y’Know.

Such Love is an early highlight. Subjected to more delay, it’s subsequently a deeper dive. Its hook, a hypnotic guitar figure, sailing through sections of wah-wah and bent, blues-y notes. Intuition Dub comes closest to modern roots reggae. A sorta steppers that bubbles with mad sound effects and boasts a cool kinda Far East key melody. You could imagine Jah Shaka spinning it in a dance. Joy, then adds a little of the post-punk funk influence found on N1_Sound’s first single, Mantras. Its powerful, pulsing subs synergising sublimely with warm, rising synth swells, and gentle waves of 6-string ringing. Seismic, blissed-out sunset fare, and a suitable soundtrack for a sensual night swim, it’d skinny dip nicely alongside Klangkollektor’s Dub Tapes Volume 1. 

N1_Sound’s Din Sync Dub can be ordered directly from Spiritual World.