Karnak On Acid レコード& CD

Review: An understated but thoroughly enjoyable dance release touching on Middle Eastern musical shimmies come neon new wave, the EP channels a distinctly Egyptomaniacal mood of egress. 'Cairo Nights' pits playfully hazily laid-down vocals - as laid back as a vagrant in the sun - against 8-bit melodies and phase-swirled drums, while 'Shtaye Dub' stops at a comparatively electrolytic oasis glimpsed opposite the pylons. The B-side brings vocalist Mimo to the titular 'Leek Fel Masry?' ('Egyptian For You?'), questioning the many crass orientalist tendencies of dance music, while the wordless closer 'Conferencia De Jungle' closes on a chugging psychedelic summit with vocal samples musing on human rights.

Review: The mysterious Karnak On Acid imprint launched last year via an EP featuring four suitably trippy tracks by emerging Egyptian talent Ramez. This frustratingly delayed follow-up comes from long-serving DJ/producer/editor - and all-round lover of Arabic and Occidental flavoured electronic dance music - Jonny Rock. We're not sure whether the two 'Versions' on show are original productions, edits or reworks, but either way they're excellent. 'Version One' features echoing Arabic vocals and jaunty, echoing lead lines rising above a thickset, sequenced bassline and delay-laden, proto-house style drums. 'Version 2', meanwhile, sounds like Egyptian EBM - should such a thing exist - and will delight all those who love sleazy chuggers and seriously psychedelic club cuts.