Andrew James Gustav’s Marginal Returns imprint is back with their seventh release. Having impressed with previous releases from Enrica Falqui, Matthias, and this year’s first release from Gwenan. For the second out of 2023 Marginal Returns welcomes Berlin favourite Levat and his extended EP “Live Cutz”. Taken from Levat’s highly acclaimed live set, this collection of club bangers means business from the first beat.
We pick up the release with C1 track “Re-Merge” and the intent is clear from the outset as acid synths wiggle and tweak their way into the mind. Pounding kicks and abrasive claps are utilised to present a fully upfront vibe. A grinding bassline and forlorn synth lines soon emerges pushing the track into the upper echelons of how a night on the dancefloor may progress. Reintroducing the acid side of the track really helps to elevate the vibe and maintains the pumping aspect of “Re-Merge”.
Completing side C is a collaboration with Bruno Schmidt and “BL9” and like the remainder of the release takes no prisoners. Side D continues in a similar vein but with a bit more restraint. D1 “Ice Live” sprinkles a liberal amount of magic here and while the grooves are just as heavy hitting as elsewhere on the EP there are far more lush moments here. Completing the release is “Luv22” and the lush meanderings of this breakbeat monster are coupled with paddy basslines that threaten to decouple from the track itself.
Heading back to the start of the release and side A benefits from more groovy bangers in the form of the imaginatively titled “MR A1” and the electro techno of “1001” which would not be out of place in a Sven Vath mix as well as perhaps Quest. Side B completes our look at this expansive electro journey with the explosive “Vai” and the “bassheavy “M-City”.
You can pre-order the release from Off The Grid Records now.
If you love what you hear, and we certainly do, then you can catch Andrew James Gustav and Levat (live) at The Lion and Lamb on Saturday, September 2nd.
More info on Levat
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More info on Marginal Returns
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