GAISER
NEURAL BLOCK
MINUS45

GAISER ups the ante with his assured second Minus EP

Following on from last February?s ?And Answer? EP, Jon Gaiser cements his growing reputation with another finely crafted selection of tunes, demonstrating a deep understanding of the intimate mechanics required for minimalist sound sculpture. His ear for a killer groove is again a ?stand out? feature of this release - the myriad drum patterns he packs into each track really driving his productions forward, underpinned as always by molten, subsonic basslines.

The five tracks on offer here never lose sight of the instinctive needs of the dancefloor, take the title track Neural Block for example, with its subtle use of reverse snares, scuttling percussive bleeps and subliminal samples, or the exceptional Half Life with its seance-like voices and bubbling, liquid grooves that swell to the maximum for the toughest workout on the EP.

Then there?s the nocturnal landscape of Seepage complete with sliding delays that slowly space out before giving way to a low, moody synth-pulse and a rocking metallic snare solo. The subsonic call and response of Separation is another highlight, repeatedly deviating from the beaten track only to be called back into line each time by a wicked bass and snare combination. And finally, available only as digital download, there?s the eerie talking bassline and sonic trickery of Offprint with its stuttering 16th rhythms, crackling snare and distorted bleeps that stretch out nervously across the track.

What is noticeable about Gaiser?s glitchy, feverish style are the surreal environments and dramatic texture changes he creates. The beats and basslines make his productions totally accessible but behind the groove there?s a dense jungle of complex sound design, ripe for exploration. The Neural Block EP is a classy release - making the prospect of Gaiser?s forthcoming live performances all the more enticing.