2019 Aug 20     
2 Bit Thugs

NYC's Tommy Bones hooks up once more with vocalist Lydia Rhodes for this EP on Cassy's label

New York producer Tommy Bones brings in regular collaborator Lydia Rhodes to add her distinctive vocalising to the first track on this great EP, while the second is virtually vocal-free but still packs a hefty punch.

The title track is a dark, seductive tech-house cut. It starts with a simple drum machine pattern that sounds cool and retro, then adds a rubbery bassline, which fattens up the track nicely but still keeps it on a minimal tip. Rhodes' spoken vocal is then added, giving the track a dissonant feel that works well. The lyrics are sleazy enough to match the groove, while a string line adds a bit more tension: it's a perfect example of "less is more", and the kind of track you play with a strobe on and loads of smoke in the room for maximum atmospherics. 

The second track, Acid Rain, starts with a kick and a hi-hat, then throws in a synth tone that gives it a French Kiss kinda vibe. As the track develops, a one-note string line ushers in the vocal which is just Tommy saying "acid rain"; after that, some claps get busy, there are long blaring horn sounds and computer-generated noise and it builds nicely into a proper technoid groover. 

So what you get here are two minimalist cuts that both sound great, with not much going on apart from what is needed to keep a dancefloor rocking. If you like no-nonsense dance music, this might be just what you're looking for.

Words: Danny Slade

Release date: 22 August


Review Score: 8




Tags: Tommy Bones, Lydia Rhodes, Kwench Records, Cassy, techno