Andre Butano & Demian Muller – Alborabora E.P

Label: Novo MusicScore:  8/10

Novo Music’s vinyl only project, Novotek Raw Series returns with more of the upfront, direct house music that has got vinyl enthusiasts talking the world over. The “Alborabora” EP is striking in both its quality and immediacy, perfectly encapsulating the dancefloor ethos that the imprint stands for as a whole.

“Alborabora” gets straight to the point, locking into a tightly wound groove and booming 4/4s. A collaboration between Andre Butano & Demian Muller, the track seems to harvest Butano’s rhythmic and groove-heavy sound with Muller’s penchant for the hypnotic in wonderfully coherent style. The result is a heady mass of deep house, spiralling alongside elements of techno in a way that carves its own unique dancefloor cut.

Moon Harbour and Cadenza cohort Martinez takes us into dirtier territory with his remix of “Alborabora.” The squelchy bass and driving thud of the kick drums provide the backbone of his rework as spacey electronics drift over the top to add a futuristic feel to proceedings. 

Butano & Muller’s second track, “Lexicon” injects a funkier side into the EP. Its playful tone builds subtlety at the start before spilling over into a bassline-led frenzy of the senses. The rolling bass provides the hook that makes this a true party starter for the entirety of its seven minutes plus.

Leix and Mate_U are next up on remix duty, turning “Lexicon” into a heads down, peak-time affair. The atmosphere is deep and often dark and intense, its heavy bass exploring the undereaches of underground tech-house with vision and creativity. This is Novotek Raw Series doing their thing as only they know how – long may it continue.