[Planet E]

Back in 1992, Kirk Degiorgio’s first ART EP (originally released by R&S Records) found itself getting licensed to Planet E, albeit in a slightly paired down and remixed form, but nonetheless giving two of his productions front and center billing. He returned the favor soon after, providing a home for some of Carl Craig’s finest work under his Psyche and BFC monikers on the ART 3 EP. Fast forward 18 years and Degiorgio has returned to Planet E with his latest 12″, Membrane. With Degiorgio reviving his ART imprint and catching his second wind on the techno front, this would seem a perfect fit if not somewhat of a homecoming.

The title track kicks off with body slamming rhythms, most notably with its vibrant cymbal crashes, crisp snare and shuffling digital percussion. What also stands out is a mutated bass pulse that has started to become a signature production element in many of Degiorgio’s recent club focused tracks. From there the palette is augmented by aqueous synth vamps that don’t provide much melody but do proffer a link to Detroit techno’s long history of energetic floor burners. Carl offers a remix of “Membrane” that focuses on the bass sound with ample delay and modulation but stripping out a majority of the original’s multi-layered percussion with blasé results. “Vesuvio” largely picks up where “Membrane” left off but with added tension coming from a protracted synth line, bass wiggling and shots of searing steam that bring some depth to the track. Membrane is not as dynamic as Degiorgio’s recent Rush Hour or ART releases but perhaps fitting for Planet E’s current direction.