Beatservice is pleased to welcome back Syntax Erik, an artist who first appeared on the label over a decade ago. Real name Raymond Hansen, the producer is originally from Tromsø, but now lives in Oslo. In 1997 he released his debut EP as K.Y.D with a string of twelve inches following in 2000 / 2001 as a part of the duo Kyd & Kango (collected on the High Above CD on Beatservice). First donning the name Syntax Erik in 2002, Hansen released an EP with Rune Lindbæk's Romklang label and remixed the likes of Mari Boine, Anneli Drecker, Flunk, and The Familiar under this moniker. Over the years he has maintained steady production efforts with personal tracks, many for his own pleasure.
Now Syntax Erik has opened up his vault for a string of new releases on the Beatservice label. The Keep It Deep EP marks the first, with three housey tracks that feature hints of deep house, a touch of TB-303 acid, and a dash of dub elements. The title track is underwater deepness with washed out, sonar-like synths that maintain a steady ping on the radar throughout. "Hello My Name Is Raymond" is a neurotic number with extended chords and a powerfully gritty bass line, giving way to acid in the latter half of the song. The grooviest cut of the EP, "Sexual Innuendo", creates a sly, dislocated landscape with wavering vocal stylings and '80s synths -- any fans of Hot Chip will find lots to like on this one. Finishing things out, fellow Beatservice artist Kohib turns in a smashing remix of "Hello My Name Is Raymond" with tongue-in-cheek Tromsø-techno style.
Rune Lindbæk - "Excellent!"
David Pher (Crosstown Rebels / Gruuv) - "Nice EP … the Kohib remix is cool."
Giom - "Nicely done."
Thee Cool Cats (Cuff / Get Physical) - "I'm grooving to this … solid EP!"
Walker Barnard (Vakant / Dumb Unit) - "Very tasty … I'll try these out tonight."
Tim Sweeney (Beats In Space) - "'Hello My Name Is Raymond' is the one."
Vanilla Ace - "These are some cool sounds."
Severino (Horse Meat Disco) - "All of these tracks are great."
Daniel Bortz (Suol / Pastamusik) - "Cool one."
Diz (Iz & Diz / Visual) - "Hot business all the way 'round!"
Sumsuch (Colour and Pitch / BBE) - "Wonderful deep sounds."
Al Bradley (3am Recordings) - "Really top class deep and intricate vibes … wicked stuff. These remind me of Svek and similar labels of high quality."
Alkalino - "These are great and I'll be playing them tonight."
Tyler Stadius (Deepsite / Dialtone Records) - "Some juicy acid in Kohib's remix."
Flash Atkins (PaperRecordings) - "Kohob does the do do do!"
Distant People (Foliage / Seamless) - "Filthy bass groove, tight drums, and a solid flow."
DJ Di Costa (MoodyLushious Influences) - "Very classy work on this EP. The originals showcase a perfect balance between acid and deep house at their finest shapes."
Michael Fossati (Spirit Of House) - "Both 'Keep It Deep' and 'Hello My Name Is Raymond' are sure-fire floor fillers."
Available now from Beatport, Juno Download, and iTunes.