Sound Design is a new double mixed CD collaboration between Melbourne’s Simon Coyle and Brisbane’s Kazu Kimura. Both are talented DJs who have also shown early promise in production. Most that have heard them perform would agree that both also deserve wider acclaim for those talents than they currently enjoy. This release should go some way to enhancing their respective profiles.

Disc One, entitled “Bushcraft and Other Guerilla Tactics”, sees Simon Coyle energetically romp through a collection of percussive party techno tracks that he has used to devastate dancefloors, in Melbourne and elsewhere, over the past 12-18 months. Tracks such as Gaetano Parisio’s “Pain 23”; Agent Wood’s “UK Gold”; Andrew McLaughlin’s “Love Story”; Joel Mull’s “The Mole” and the Adam Beyer remix of Ben Sims’ “Manipulated”, are all examples of instantly recognisable techno that have retained a good deal of their lustre, despite the considerable repetition that each has endured. Coyle successfully supplements these popular tracks, however, with several lesser-played choices, including Leandro Gamez’s Pink; James Ruskin’s Body Electric and, a personal favourite, Percy X’s Break it Down.

Disc Two, appropriately entitled “A Progress Report”, represents Kazu Kimura’s contribution to the release. The CD is programmed as thoughtfully as its title would suggest: with Kazu guiding us seamlessly through an escalating progression of funky, minimal techno. The journey begins with Si Begg’s downtempo, electro influenced, “Welcome to the Discotheque” and travels through familiar themed territory for anyone that has heard a Kimura set in the last year or so, taking in tracks such as Ben Sims’ “Hardgroove 1”; Dean Cole’s “User 10”; Jay Denham’s “Poetic Justice”; the Umek remix of DJ One Finger’s “House Fucker” and Alter Ego’s “Betty Ford”. As a bonus, Kazu’s CD also includes 3 loops that he has recently completed under his pseudonym, DJ Uzak.

Both CDs on this release are well mixed and produced. Both CDs, too, are a true representation of the musical leanings and performance styles of the respective DJs. They can be easily contrasted, which adds to the diversity and appeal of the release overall.

In summary, Simon’s CD is pure jacking, party techno, in both its tracks and the way in which those tracks are mixed. It’ll have you jumping all over your kitchen while you’re doing the dishes. Kazu’s CD, on the other hand, while retaining a strong thread of funk throughout, has a demonstrably “deeper” feel to it. Who say’s that techno can’t be just for listening?

Sound Design? Indeed.