Stepping up for his second release on the ever trustworthy ZamZam Sounds, Chris Ebdon aka Ishan Sound continues to represent dub as he does best. Delivering a stripped back 75 BPM head nodda for the A-side, “Rush On The Tonic” features a simple melancholy panpipe melody that harks back to his release on Hotline Recordings (Rivet and Militant Mindset immediately come to mind; one can easily imagine Rider Shafique lending his voice to the track). Spiraling in a downward arpeggio, it’s soon joined by a few teasing bass stabs before the snare and hi hats finally tag team the straight-to-the-chest bassline. Continuing for the majority of the track, Ishan Sound soon hints at another melody, the two intertwining to fill out a proper dub. Perfect for mixing or meditation.
On the flip, Alter Echo & E3 kick it into double time, accelerating the original into a 150 BPM steppa’s delight. The duo’s signature delayed snares pan left and right across the first forty seconds of the track providing a thoroughly atmospheric introduction. After a hiss of static, the entire picture becomes clear, with the melody of the original seeping through accompanied by nearly unintelligible vocal samples. Disorienting synth lines purr into existence as the kick propels the track in a manner wholly different from the original, exciting both the mind and body alike. A truly unique take on an already stellar track.
ZAMZAM38 is out now and available from Unearthed Sounds, Redeye, White Peach and Intense Records.
