Billy Dalessandro Cracktime [Soniculture, 2011]

Cracktime is the fifth release by Dalessandro, a mammoth in the Chicago-style scene. And with all the German techno currently ruling the coop at the Kompakt label, a dash of American house is unquestionably a healthy hiatus. That being said, his labelmates have certainly left their mark on Dalessandro’s style, with melodies that branch into more minimal than is expected of his genre. A bit of dub, 303, and acid are also present here and there, blending genre lines even further. Vox isn’t always present, but when it is, it can be slightly suggestive, but never explicit. My personal favorites would include the acid influenced tracks “La Deux”, “Here Comes The Bankster” “Urban Decay”, and “It’s Not Your World” as well as the dub of “Hypersleep” and the minimal atmosphere of “Sirens of Titan.” “Barnacles Pt. 2” acts merely as an intro for “La Deux” so use it as such if you see fit. All in all, a great genre-compiler of an album that has its shining moments.
Recommended: 2, 8, 11, 10, 12, 13, 9, 4, 5, 6
CLEAN