Juno Plus // Simoncino – Amazon Atlantis
Italian producer Simoncino records music every day and on his latest album, Amazon Atlantis, it is clear that his diligence has paid off. While previous releases showed that the Italian producer had become adept at recreating classic house music by channeling Trent, Damier and Heard, on Amazon Atlantis, he has truly mastered his art. The same resonating bass tones, crisp drums and thunder claps are prevalent throughout, but it is also clear that he has grown in confidence and is more adventurous.
This is audible on “90s Theme”, a playful disco loop underpinned by lithe break beats or on “Dub Theory 1”, where he pushes his trademark house sound into 90s Ian Pooley-style techno territory using churning chords and dissected vocals. On the subject of techno, “Space Tape” is one of Simoncino’s most reduced tracks, with hissing, crackling percussion riding a tough, grainy rhythm. Further evidence that Simoncino is trying to diversify comes on “Akai Afro”; as its title suggests, he samples tribal chants and layers them skillfully over dense drums.
