MASTER FRENCH by BENNY RODRIGUES

Strong one on Voyage Direct from Rotterdam's Benny Rodrigues...TIP!The label say "Benny Rodrigues seems to delight in confounding critics. Since making his debut alongside Darko Esser with 2007�s Underwater Records-�‐released �Paradox�, the Rotterdam-�‐based DJ has surprised and excited at every turn. Variously delivering woozy tech-�‐house, rave revivalism, stripped-�‐back minimal, jackin� acid, wide-�‐eyed deep house and, under his occasional ROD alias, shirts-�‐off warehouse techno. Along the way, he�s released music on some of Europe�s most prestigious labels, including Desolat, Soma, EC Records, Be As One and Wolfskuil Records. Here, he makes his debut for Tom Trago�s Voyage Direct imprint with two undulating, hypnotic, heads-�‐down tracks that blur the boundaries between house and techno. Rhythmically loose but impressively tough � like all of Rodrigues� best productions � both cuts are built around mesmerising late night grooves and intoxicating chords. �Master French� kicks things off, lacing nagging shakers, subtle synth strings and fluttering chords over a robust, shuffling tech-�‐house groove. Rodrigues works the mix like a master, bringing elements to the fore before sliding them into the background. It�s a simple, heads-�‐down, 4am groove, but it�s executed brilliantly. �Z�, on the other hand, is an altogether breezier affair, with repetitive, new age-�‐ inspired synthesizer melodies seemingly drifting over a rock solid house groove. Notable ride cymbals and warm beats proper the track forward, giving it a humid, tropical feel. This is music to move the body, mind and soul. "