Following the hype which surrounded his 'Knights of the Jaguar' release on
Underground Resistance, some may have expected Rolando Rocha to cash-in and
make similarly epic tracks on bigger labels. Not one of 'Mad' Mike Banks
most valued members however. Rolando set about establishing his own label
and kicked things off with the solid tribal grooves of 'Birth of 3000'. On
this, the label's second release, things have really started to kick off.
Assisted by UR stablemate Gerald Mitchell, these are quite simply two of the
funkiest techno cuts you're likely to hear this, or any other year. Lead
track 'Quetzal' features Rolando's trademark tribal drums, a simple yet
effective bassline and lush, soaring strings. On the flip, 'Tescat' is a
tougher, jacking number with a bit more of a Chicago influence. It's not all
rough grooves however as subtle strings are introduced giving the track some
emotional power.
Not the sort of EP that will have Rolando cluttering up Pete Tong or Judge
Jules' record boxes again, but for those who are serious about their Detroit
techno, this is an essential purchase.
www.loshermanos.com
Reviewed by Sean Keltie
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