christianmichael Favorite release I’ve heard in some time. A perfect soundtrack to my everyday train journey.

Nic Brown 1080p is one of only two labels (the other is deep drum & bass specialists Nurtured Beatz) whose records are of such consistently outstanding quality, I buy them on sight. Of the 29 (yes, 29 - one or two major labels are less prolific) records they released last year, only UMFANG's "Ok" failed to send me into raptures. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't a bad record, just a could probably do better one, and I'm delighted to say technofeminist, DJ and producer Emma Olson has done just that with knobs on. "Riffs" is a collection so varied (I love a track that begins as house, switches to techno after a couple of minutes then drifts off into ambient territory just as you think you're getting a handle on it), that I'm inclined to categorise it simply as weirdo electronica (and if you can think of a label that has more of that in its back catalogue then tell me now and I'll buy all of it). Though it's virtually impossible to pick a favourite with so much going on in every track, closer "Entrada" is a very strange beast indeed. It sounds like an ambient piece that would rather scratch your eyes out than lull you into a meditative state and UMFANG had all sorts of trouble keeping it beatless. You might think that sounds foolish, but give it a spin an you'll know what I mean. Needed to improve and did in fine style. Favorite track: Entrada.