Synaptic Voyager - Dawn Til Dusk EP [Cyphon Recordings]

DJ Support: Neroli, Josh Wink, Domenic Cappello, Glenn Underground, Laurent Garnier, Ralph Lawson, Harri Harrigan, Felix Dickinson, Francois K, Ron Basejam, Massimiliano Pagliara, Raresh, Kevin Reynolds, Dave Aju, Laani, Anoesis, Raw Silk, Nicky V, Fish Go Deep, Craig Smith, Lars Behrenroth, Brian Kage, Hector Romero, DJ Rocca & Massiande.

The influence of the UK’s Steel City on electronic music is well-documented and indisputable; it continues to push boundaries with key figures such as Winston Hazel (Forgemasters, The Step), DJ Parrot/Crooked Man, Richard Benson (RAC, SWAG, Altern 8), Chris Duckenfield (RAC, Popular Peoples Front, SWAG, All Ears Distribution), a burgeoning underground club scene, and projects like Synaptic Voyager reinforcing the city's rich musical legacy.

Matt White and Paul Baines have been crafting emotive and unconventional electronic jams since meeting in the early 90s. Though life took them on different paths for a time, they’ve recently dusted off their synths and drum machines to dive back into the studio, shaping a series of new productions that draw inspiration from that classic British techno sound which played such an important role in the development of global dance music culture. With recent releases on labels like Frame Of Mind, Acquit, and Telomere Plastic, the duo is clearly on a roll, proudly wearing their city's heritage and delivering what can only be described as authentic, heartfelt machine music, made with love and soul.

From the opening beats of the title track, Dawn Till Dusk, we’re ushered into a place that feels comfortably familiar yet organic, flowing, and loose, in a way that pulls at the emotional heartstrings. Light years away from cookie-cutter tech house, this is the result of two guys in a home studio, working with hardware to craft a sound one can completely get lost in.

Lonely Promontory takes things even deeper, with swirling pads, tense electro beats, and chilled melodic lines that hint at a touch of optimism and evoke the cherished sounds of B12, Redcell, and Likemind.

Flipping the vinyl over, we find Stellar Engine, which goes a little heavier on the beats and bass but still retains that floaty quality, highlighting once again the hardware jam-based workflow Synaptic Voyager applies in their studio.

Once Exposed transports us back to those glorious early 90s days when techno, house, and ambient electronica combined to create an intoxicating blend of deep atmospheres and driving rhythms, suitable for both the dancefloor and the car stereo.

Closing out the EP, we have Cognitive Network, which launches straight in with a four-to-the-floor techno groove and a killer bassline to get lost in.

These recordings were submitted to the label in long, unedited versions (some over 15 minutes!), which Jimpster lovingly edited to form the versions heard on this release.