MA

TRACK LISTING A1. The Death Of Rebirth A2. Negative Space B. Ma INFO Alistair Wells is a producer whose current work is synonymous with a kind of benevolent intensity: he excels at sculpting tonally rich and percussively complex tracks that seem to both enlighten and confront. Under his most well known alias as Perc, he has established a deep roster on his PercTrax label to carry out a similar-minded program, and has built up a formidable arsenal of EPs and singles in the wake of enigmatic LPs like 2011's Wicker & Steel. His 'eclectic-yetdisciplined' methodology practically guaranteed he would eventually come into the orbit of Stroboscopic Artefacts. His partnership with the label has already resulted in a collaboration with Modern Heads, as well as one of the first entries in the Monad series, and now a fascinating new EP that showcases his talent for testing the limits of perception. The ominously titled opener "Death of Rebirth" - a title hinting at some form of hellish repetition - starts things off with a sense of dark premonition. Yet, in signature Perc style, that aura of uneasiness beckons listeners to explore further rather than to flee from it: in this context, the reliable 4/4 kick drum throb is the only means of orienting oneself or angling through a glassy and metallic labyrinth where foreign objects conspire to make previously unimagined percussive noises. "Negative Space" is a variation upon this theme of trying to maintain focus within a foreign environment bristling with strange enticements and potential dangers: with the kick pattern from the previous pice still acting as a trusty guide, new sound forms arise at every turn: a novel sort of hybridized piano / gamelan tone, a shuddering assembly line, and snaking delay feedbacks. Like dub music meant to be listened to in a hall of mirrors, "Negative Space" induces a heady feeling of multiplying realities. The closing "Ma", if translated into Japanese, can mean "space / pause" and thus acts as a nice complement to "Negative Space." However, this massive, side-long audio force field dispenses with the previous tracks' steady pulse, and suggests a rigorous act of ritual contemplation taking place in the midst of phenomenal chaos and challenging blows to the body. "Ma" succeeds in modernizing the industrial-era rhythmic invocations of artists like Z'ev, achieving an almost classical solemnity without sacrificing Perc's usual love for cleverly maniuplated electricity. Altogeher, ˜Ma™ is an eye-opening, ear-infliltrating statement that will warp your understandings of time and space in a most exquisite way. Press News on Resident Advisor: http://www.residentadvisor.net/news.aspx?id=32899 News on FACT Magazine (UK/USA): http://www.factmag.com/2016/01/13/perc-ma-ep-stroboscopic-artefacts/ News and Q+A on XLR8R (USA): https://www.xlr8r.com/news/2016/01/qa-perc-preps-ep-for-stroboscopic-artefacts/ News on Mixmag (UK): http://www.mixmag.net/read/perc-announces-new-ep-on-stroboscopic-artefacts-news News on The Quietus (UK): http://thequietus.com/articles/19536-perc-announces-new-ep News on Crack Magazine (UK): http://crackmagazine.net/2016/01/perc-to-release-ep-on-lucys-stroboscopic-artefa cts/ News on DJ Mag Latino America: http://goo.gl/wvp7Sl News on Noisey - VICE (Italy): http://noisey.vice.com/it/blog/perc---ma News on DJ Mag Spain: http://www.djmag.es/articulo.php?noticia=1389 News on Juno Plus (UK): http://www.junodownload.com/plus/2016/01/13/perc-next-on-stroboscopic-artefacts/ News on TRAX (France) : http://fr.traxmag.com/article/31106-perc-un-nouvel-ep-brut-et-cisele-sur-le-labe l-de-lucy News on Stoney Roads (Australia): http://stoneyroads.com/2016/01/perc-teases-new-ep-on-stroboscopic-records DJ Feedback: DVS1 "'Negative Space'." James Ruskin "Killer 12". Thanks!" Marco Shuttle "Very interesting sounds. A2 is my fav." Oscar Mulero "Support. Will play ˜The Death of Rebirth™, thanks!" Tommy Four Seven "High class stuff. Excellent release, nice one Alistair!" Cio DÙOr šGreat! Very cinematic and creative!" Svreca šWonderful Perc return in SA. Full support!!" Peder Mannerfelt "Thanks a lot, sounds awesome at first listen. looking forward to dig in further" OAKE "Exceptional release and that comes from someone who really does not like a straight 4/4 Kick." Inigo Kennedy "Top marks for Negative Space here. Interesting sound design throughout.›