[Statik Entertainment]

Perhaps more interesting than deep-house’s resurgence is how the resurrected sub-genre has melded with others, like tribal, minimal and dub. The elongating and relaxing side effects of reverb and delay have proven complimentary to the already subdued atmosphere common among deep house cuts. A good recent example of this amalgamated sub-genre can be found on the “Mora EP,” Leonid’s debut 12″ released by Statik Entertainment. Like much of the Leipzig-based label’s roster, Leonid is a complete unknown, except that one of his tracks (featured on this EP) closed out Norman Nodge’s mnml ssgs podcast. After this EP, however, a hungry audience will likely crave more from the hitherto anonymous producer.

Leonid displays a different side of himself on “Mora EP”‘s three tunes, though each is bound to a resolute levelheadedness which varies only in clarity and instrumentation. The eponymous opener envelops thick 808 pulses in an electron-charged fog in which it bounces ever so gently. Things kick off at the arrival of a shimmying rhythm section that gives the ethereal tune enough swing to shake hips. Leaning more towards typical deep-house arrangements (stretched out strings, resonating piano chords), “Resting II [V.1]” lets its dubbed out stabs flicker across the spectrum as splashy percussion and an oily chord progression foment forward movement. Closer “Mora Resting” is unexpectedly shoegaze oriented, as its placid pads warmly embrace listeners surrounded by percussive echoes and syncopated bass; Border Community fans should take note. For a first solo release, Leonid’s “Mora EP” is stunningly crafted and wise beyond its creators’ known years. Perhaps a bit of change beats experience after all.