Rickys Hand

Rickys Hand

Spanner & The Edgeman [Testin Out]

10 September, 2007 | 12.02PM

• Written by: Richard Brophy
• Filed under: Music Recommendations: female vocals, lo rider, never leave, rickys hand, spanner, testin out, the edgeman

The first release on UK electro label Testin Out was by Dark Mode and was an uncompromising collection of electro breaks.

That was last year.

In the interim, the label have clearly had a bit of a rethink.

Coming to the conclusion that, unless you’re Clone or one of its associated labels, the market for underground electro funk is marginal, Testin Out are back with a more diverse release.

It’ll probably piss off the purists that ‘Rickys Hand’ doesn’t adhere to a narrowly defined style, but this approach hasn’t served the label well in the past.

Instead, Spanner & The Edgeman - who sound like they could be an electro version of a dodgy English stand-up comdey act – deliver ‘Never Leave’, which uses electro breaks as its basis, but also boasts a catchy hook and some endearing female vocals.

The title track marks the most radical departure for Testin Out.

It’s a slightly daft synth electro pop number that was undoubtedly inspired by dodgy ‘80s New Romantic, while ‘Lo Rider’ is a concession to the purists, featuring layered chords and a churning, murky bass.

It’s a delicate balancing act, but Testin Out just about make it work.

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