Belfast-based label, Mystic Arts, continue their mission to champion the music of local electronic artists. While previous releases have focused on luminaries such as Black Bones and David Holmes, their latest 12 shines a light on the largely unsung Gary Irwin. Working for decades as an engineer, ably assisting everyone, including the aforementioned Mr. Holmes, Irwin stepped out of the studio shadows, assuming the alias The Vendetta Suite, in 2017. In the process cementing a successful partnership with Italy’s Hell Yeah Recordings. Here Mystic Arts, however, travel back into Irwin’s past, repressing 2 mid-90s tracks that originally appeared on Holmes’ Exploding Plastic Inevitable. 

Waveforms In Wonderland taps into the ongoing pounding progressive house revival, a drama of layered, racing drums, whipped by wild whistling and effervescent effects. Chiming, uplifting, string-like keys eventually tempering its urgent acid. In the accompanying press Irwin states that the tune was inspired by Richie Hawtin. Personally, I can also hear the influence of Hardfloor’s Acperience and Red Planet’s Star Dancer. For me this is the sound of The Sabres Of Paradise and Andrew Weatherall’s Sabresonic. 

Diary Of A Microchip to my ears also has a Weatherall connection. The track’s intricate, evolving, interwoven beats – clicking like clockwork gears connecting – recalling the music Edinburgh artist Being released on Weatherall’s experimental Emissons imprint. Initially sparse, trading buzzing bass drops and high hats that hiss like escaping steam. Gradually increasing in intensity, with collisions like lightsabers clashing. Briefly breaking down into bionic bubbles and flashes of Primal Scream-esque psyche organ. Building a busy, broken funk out of the abstract. Like a battle – in a galaxy far, far away – between J. Saul Kane’s Octagon Man and The Jedi Knights’ electro / techno. 

C.P.U.’s  Diary Of A Microchip can be ordered directly from Mystic Arts.