RITZI LEE レコード& CD

Review: Pitting two techno heavyweights against each other, the latest Theory release comes on strong with original tracks from Paul Mac and Ritzi Lee, who then proceed to remix each others works. Mac's "Control" is a simmering, nervous slice of slow and steady techno, while his remix of Lee's "Reverse Processed" is a more flamboyant affair with a pleasingly dirty lead synth hook and a chunky set of drums. On the flipside Lee's own "Subway Trip" comes on tough with a stout beat and some jangling looped elements that drill straight into your cerebellum, leaving his remix of Mac's "Grind Returns" to nudge into a more poised, dramatic arrangement with plenty of punch and an air of mystery about it.

Review: Ben Sims's label delivers a diverse but hard-hitting three-tracker. The label boss is first up and "Bite This" sees him sever the links with his loopy past. It's still a repetitive track, but as its basis Sims deploys a pulsing electronic groove and firing percussion, while a malevolent riff makes the transition from jarring and abrasive to atmospheric and eerie. Ritzi Lee travels a similar path on "Reverse Processed", where snappy percussion and a nagging bassline underpin metallic stabs and jarring riffs that reach out into the darkness. By contrast, Paul Mac's "Dry Run" is a more soulful experience. Despite the proliferation of spiky, metallic drums, it's the screeching, slightly deranged male vocal that stands out.