(Simple/Inertia)

The latest offering from fresh new UK label Simple Records is Precision Cuts’ track Polly 800. The UK trio consisting of Joe Gray, Jem Haynes and Tam Cooper have previously released some wicked cuts on Simple including Xylophone and Royal Flush which also appeared on the Simple1 Compilation.

Formed in 1999 they have released many records to critical acclaim through various breaks labels which have all been played heavily by DJs including Adam Freeland, Tayo, Freq Nasty, Bushwacka!, Meat Katie, Groove Armada and the Plump DJs amongst others. They also operate their own label Smartbreaks through which they release their own music and aim to bring a more rhythmical feel to the breaks sound.

The new 12 inch is anything but a generic breaks track, instead a homage to the Polly 800 synth which is responsible for some classic pioneering acid electronica sounds. Although it’s fairly minimal, the tracks aim to explore just some of the 64 presets and 78 sounds contained in the Polly.

Side A, is the more drum and bass mix and combines deep electronic percussion, echoic vocal samples and whooshing sub. Mid way through, the track goes into full acid bleeps peaking this listener before lushing into some space-tech sounds for a floating breakdown.

Side B, the Phonique remix, has a housier vibe, and despite being without the sub-rattling dnb bass, has it’s own funky bass-line and percussion. It’s probably dancier than Side A, but equally defines its own unique sound. Sexy organic bass, percussion and vocal samples draw you in, before an acid melody takes you to another level, while percussion claps keep your booty moving, till finally tripped out delays move the track into more psychedelic territory and a new acid melody. You get the sense this track keeps building through layering of sounds and contrasting elements such as smooth jazz house pads and harsher electro sounds. From the fullness, it drops to the break before re-introducing claps, bass and yet another acid melody.

The two mixes are quite different and could serve a couple of different purposes for a working DJ. “Fans of Steve Bug’s lean ‘n’ mean Pokerflat sound are going to want this: a deep, druggy chugger that sounds like an old Jestofunk tune remade in a Berlin towerblock masquerading as a nightclub,” (FACT Magazine). “Will Saul’s ace little label has drafted in Mixmag German fave Phonique to remix this track in to a moody but funk-packed minimal number. Techy undergound vibes getting us in the mood for DC10,” (Mixmag).

Check out http://www.simplerecords.co.uk for a sample.