Mono Junk / Kim Rapatti A-Sides

After releasing brand new material on DUM034, DUM Records are dipping into the label boss’s production archives for the next one: it is a reissue that features tracks from a number of classic Mono Junk releases. Two came on Trope Records, one in 1995 and one in 1993, and the last pair of cuts come from 1996 when they were released on Plug Research. Arguably some of the influential Finnish producer’s finest work, all of the tracks here emphasize how long he is operating on the top of his game already.
First up is ‘A…’, a hard hitting techno cut with urgent drums and real menace in the groove. Widescreen synths add soul to the visceral feel of the track and then comes ‘Another Acid’, which for the first time is being released as a full length track at 6 minutes 26. It was from Mono Junk’s first ever Trope EP and is a no nonsense acid banger that kicks like a mule and is riddled with great effects, slithering lines and arresting drums. On the flip side are two tracks from his Mood EP from 1996 written as Kim Rapatti, both sounding as fresh as ever. The first is a blissful and beautifully tripped out deep, Detroit house track and the second is a melodically rich, colourful cut that journeys far off into the galaxy. It’s hard to think of these as twenty years old, because they still sounds as essential as they ever did. It’s not for nothing they’ve all been previously released as A-sides…