Random Circuits

Russ Gabriel - “The Fall Guy” [Mobilee] (buy)

When you think of Mobilee the label run by Anja Schneider who do you think of ? Well I’ll tell you who I think of: Sebo K, Pan Pot & Anja herself but not in a million years would I have ever associated UK Techno stalwart & label owner of the fantastic [Ferox] records - Russ Gabriel with this German label. Gabriel has been producing quality techno since the early 90’s and with a back catalogue that most can only dream of Russ is one of the producers out there that’s consistently turning heads.

His recent release on Mobilee is a far cry from Pan Pot’s dark minimal & meandering sounds and its a long way off anything from Schneider too. “The Fall Guy” EP is two quality cuts of really good & quite refreshing techno (with obvious house elements here & there).

Leading the pack is “React” this is a fast paced warm melody maker. Skippy playful chords bounce along so light and delicately these are met by some low end skewed bass. Everything seems to be very compact and works really well as a whole. It took me a while but after a few (loud) plays you feel the real depth of this record I for one cant wait to hear it out on the floor. Very catchy and likable i cant find fault any with ”React”. Its one of those pieces that each time its played you will hear something new, like now for me, even though its been on all day I’m still finding intricate melodies weaving in and out of the tightly strung chords which i missed the first time round & I’m appreciating the stabby grooves from the soulful chords a lot more than i was when listening earlier saying that its late on now and i usually find listening to music in the dead of night is an added bonus. Its the equivalence of looking under a microscope you need to have a good look and take everything in to appreciate it that little bit more. A very accessible track from a very accessible label but from one of the most unlikeliest of sources.

The Fall Guy takes all those elements mentioned above and amplifies them by 100. Coming in at just under 13 Min’s the Fall Guy is more of a builder, where as React throws you straight in “Fall Guy” toys with you first by meandering through sharp techno chords and deep house like filters. Like the A side its tight and compact full of rhythm and groove & has that under -pinned sub bass that will only be picked up through the highest quality of speakers.

Mobilee throw a spanner into the works & i like this spanner a lot and hope its matched with some nuts and bolts in the not so distant future.

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