Chemistry Lock

Chemistry Lock

Kevin Gorman [International DeeJay...

19 March, 2008 | 6.45PM

• Section: Music Recommendations
• Written by: Richard Brophy

Manchester-based producer Kevin Gorman and the champagne-fueled, jet-setting lifestyle as espoused by Gigolos boss DJ Hell seem like an unusual combination, but on closer inspection, this hook up isn’t all that strange.

After all, long before he became associated with electroclash’s one-note basslines and self-conscious fashion disasters, Hell was responsible for the rave classic ‘My Definition of House’ and the granite block beats of techno slayers like ‘Die Totmacher’.

Clearly, Hell hasn’t forgotten his background, and the main strength of Gorman’s album is that it reconstitutes the best bits from techno’s last 15 years, adapting them to a modern setting.

Inspired by the soulful sounds of 1990s Detroit techno and the pioneering minimal that came from the city during the same period, the album features an update of Daniel Bell and Rob Hood’s wiry, jacking minimal funk on the title track on ‘Orange’, the chiming chords of ‘Build on Sam’ and the dramatic, Galaxy 2 Galaxy-style strings and warbling bass of ‘Bother’.

That’s not to suggest ‘Lock’ is caught in a timewarp.

Gorman realises the importance of moving on and the percussive clicks, pops and whirrs of contemporary minimalism are evident throughout, but most effective on the rattling hi hats and hoover stabs of ‘Slang’.

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