Ecke Records is proud to present a new release series: ‘dECK’. Each release comprises tracks in digital & tape format. The work is from a selected artist with remix(es). The tape run will be a limited edition of 50.
For dECK1, we are joined by Tash Todd aka Bakläxa, with her debut solo outing, ‘Swordfish EP’. The artwork is styled upon everyone’s favourite ‘Bassmate by Probe 2000’ fishing computer from 1984.
"The EP is named after the literal sighting of a Swordfish from a boat in Sicily, with the title track being made on a train trip shortly after, which was the starting point for the whole project. This has been many moons in the making, consisting of tunes of hope and heartache."
Tash Todd (she/her) aka Bassmate 'Bakläxa', is a DJ, producer & radio host who plays a mix of left-field bass, hard drum, grime, dancehall and percussion-driven dance music.
Her 'Learning Curves' show on THFRadio aims to explore projects that are running in and around the city of Berlin that are working in the sectors of social change, activism and cultural awareness.
She has released productions on compilations including Ecke Records’ ‘F.O.E.’ Series and Paloma's ‘Paloma Vs. Virus 005’. Alongside these she has also released a ravey two track EP CiV / VIC on ClubQu as Neutralised - a Cybernetic DJ Duo formed with pbl.fyi.
Swordfish is a 5 track EP with 2 remixes from the Ecke crew.
The release can be best described as being in the middle-ether between three pillars: deconstructed UK Bass, cinematic sound-design pieces & soul-filled pop-driven UK Techno tools.
The signature track ‘Swordfish’ sets the scene with a heavily emotion laden outing. Sensual vocal hits are inter-spliced with a evocative melody line, complemented with movie-scene worthy sound-design distorted bass hits.
Next up is ‘Tool’, a straight up no nonsense club track that has what can be described as a certain cheeky nature. Pokey percussion intersects the mix, a warm bass and viber pads can be found complimenting each other as the tune unfolds.
‘Have Faith’ is up next, washing pads find themselves complemented by a subtle breakbeat that teases the listener before a huge kick switches up the pace. Again we see a warm bass introduced to wrap the listener in a fuzzy blanket as they cross the finish line.
Ecke’s own Xantrax is up next with a remix of ‘Tool’, the pokey percs of the original become crispier, with creepy vocals and an absolutely churning synth line counter-playing against more playful, almost future garage facing, that keep the listener guessing what could come next.
‘SMH’ is a track that can be described as a ‘pop-tool’ - blissed out piano and vocalisms that explore the relationships we have with love & loves lost. A 4/4 kick is introduced to drive the track forward, making this a perfect melancholic tool for a desired moment.
‘Haze’ is the penultimate track on the release, which sees Bakläxa partaking on a deep, sound design enriched journey. Epic pads, with richly effected percs take the listener on a fuzzy adventure into the unknown, with an eerie grating synth line creeping in and out throughout.
To finish, Suno Soniason comes with the ‘Escap Verte Mix’ of ‘SMH’. Vigorous resampling sees Suno present a dub facing half-time 160 adventure across seven and a half minutes. A long stomping intro evolves into 3 different bassline sections, suited for the long-blend selector.
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