Dreams of Distant Journey EP by Jamaica Suk [Gradient 003]

Jamaica Suk returns with the third release on her quality-not-quantity imprint Gradient, with two fine originals matched by two excellent remixes.

‘Dreams Of A Distant Journey’ is an expansive soundscape of brooding, time-stretched, distorted synths which growl and morph around a heady, delayed chime motif. Ambient in structure but more brutalist in texture, its hazy feel is exacerbated by off-kilter percussive touches whose looseness add an element of freeform jazz into the mix. It’s a beast of a composition that’s fit for a sci-fi film or a mesmerising live show all the same.

‘Road Between’ is Jamaica Suk in club mode, with pummeling bass arpeggios and discordant metallic percussive rhythms firing in all directions. Subtle variations give character as cymbal hits cut in and out and reverbs push sounds further into the distance. With the bassline channelling classic electro and techno and the sound palette very much modern-day techno, it’s a potent blend.