Simon Garcia Ataraxia EP

Simon Garcia: A Hot Drink In The Desert Ataraxia: “a state of serene calmness” - and a highly appropriate title for two tracks that epitomise Simon Garcia’s singular vision of the hypnotic potentiality of house. On the back of his residency at Madrid’s MOTEL club, a busy international tour schedule, and high praise from an array of luminaries including Laurent Garnier, Garcia touches down on Poker Flat for the second time very much on the crest of a wave. The title track’s pounding kick and busy hats provide a bedrock for a slow crescendo of drones and parallel, pulsing synths. Skilfully, layer after layer is added to the mix to deliver a heady, reverberating transfiguration. Eschewing the easy tricks of big builds and breakdowns, it’s an exercise in serenity through meditative repetition. ‘A Hot Drink In the Desert’ casts a tropical feel with its bustling beat and dancing xylophone. This is soon disrupted by high frequency, Hitchcockian drones, ominous piano strokes and undulating bass tones, taking the tune into haunting soundtrack territory - a deliciously mysterious and spooky groove.