Syntax Erik returns to famed Norwegian electronic music label Beatservice Records with the I Can Feel You EP, his latest exploration in dance music eclecticism. 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.
The I Can Feel You EP is the second in a series of distinctive 'from the vaults' releases from Syntax Erik. It consists of three house-style tracks, each with touches of Norwegian techno flavor. The EP starts off with the banging dance floor frenzy of "Midnight Express" … a mindful layering of synth textures and balearic vocal phrases fully captivate over the cut's ten minutes. Erik goes deep and dubby for "I Can Feel You", a dark late-night track that proudly wears its experimental flourishes on its sleeve. "Blindness You Can't Focus" is the third track, with its ambient intro and subdued techno rhythms leading into moody blankets of atmosphere and swirling melody. Lastly, Oslo-based producers De Fantastiske To (Paper, Omena, Truckfunk) round off the EP with their groovy magic on "Midnight Express". Their remix adds a dash of funk to the beats and large helpings of growling bass and soaring arpeggiations. It's a wild ride!
Terry Francis - "'I Can Feel You' for me!"
Larry Tee - "This is nice."
Mugwump (Kompakt / Throne of Blood) - "Cool EP."
Anthony Pappa - "Some nice tracks here that will be used."
Rune Lindbæk - "More top stuff from Raymond! I've been digging 'I Can Feel You' for years. Great to see it being released."
Vanilla Ace - "Cool sounds."
Phonogenic (Moodmusic / Turbo) - "I like the quirky vibes of 'I Can Feel You' … oh yes, I do."
Spettro (Get Physical) - "I'm really into 'Blindness You Can't Focus'."
Pete Herbert (Reverso 68 / Disco Deviance) - "Top stuff."
Severino (Horse Meat Disco) - "Yes … this is super nice."
Hardway Bros (A Love From Outer Space) - "Yes! I like 'Midnight Express'."
Alkalino (Estimativa / Audaz Recordings) - "'I Can Feel You' is cool!"
Tyler Stadius (Deepsite / Dialtone Records) - "Cool EP. Plenty of out-there, twisted, and unique sounds."
Bogdan Taran (Dance Box) - "The De Fantastiske To remix of 'Midnight Express' is my favourite here."
Simon Kirk (Stag Beetle Radio Show) - "A superb release. It's hard to pin down a favorite but lurking at the end is the De Fantastiske To remix of 'Midnight Express' – a monster of a track. This is huge!"
Richard Hardcastle (Solid State / All Out War) - "The best sort of the 'Norwegian' sound – wigged out heavy and warm for the club systems, amazing production, plus it sounds fresh. Fantastic."
Available now from Beatport, Juno Download, and iTunes.