Om Unit returns with Acid Dub Studies III. It’s more of the stuff found on I & II, and that’s great, perfect even, ’cos most clued-up folks can’t get enough. By design, of course, it’s all based around TB-303 flex, but nonetheless it’s still a pretty varied set. Some tracks, for example the single Hungry World, showcase Om Unit’s signature, shape-shifted Sleng Teng sound. Mutant bass bulging, snares clattering, caught / trapped in delay, like King Jammy’s transported to the 22nd Century, and recalling past favourites such as Acid Tempo. 

Other offerings are more “ambient”. The opening Frosted, Usurper and Circulate / Fireflies all fall into this category. The latter is a deep, dub techno drift, in line with the output of people like Synkro and Klangkollektor. Everything though is too rooted in a groove to be compared to anything as stoned as, say, The Orb. Altitude creates an intoxicating atmosphere of deconstructed debris, treated twists and chimes, spinning as if in orbit. Phased, spun back, and underscored by alien strings. Lonely Cities is Close Encounters Of The Third Kind’s 5 tones distorted and echoed.  

Lost & Found marches into “Balearic” territory. Its squelchy blackness softened – significantly – by understated house piano. The Chase and Ascension then both bump up the BPMs. Rocking righteous, sub-shaken rhythms where modern steppers meets rave in a rushing warrior charge. 

Om Unit’s Acid Dub Studies III can be ordered directly from Bandcamp.