Genre/Influences: Electro-Ambient, Experimental.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: Set up in 2008 by David Vallée, this French artist gained some recognition with his Lith project. EKS.Center this year unleashed its fifth full length.

Content: “Murmurations” clearly sounds like a step back to the past; the early experiments with Electronic equipment, which sound Experimental and pretty astral like. The songs are instrumental edits although you can hear some voice manipulated passages. The tracks are driven by slow rhythms while the sound treatments have this good-old analogue magic.

+ + + : “Murmurations” is influenced by 80s Electro experiments, but still has a refreshing and contemporary touch on top. The sounds are retro-like while the production sounds more contemporary. This way the album creates an imaginary sonic bridge between the past and today. It’s an easy listening piece of music revealing a few highlights like the ominous sounding “Still On The Road” and the more sophisticated last track “Event Horizon”. I like the astral dimension running through the work, which has been accentuated by dreamy string parts.

– – – : There are several cool songs featured at this album, but no total climax has been reached. It’s nothing more than an entertaining piece of music.

Conclusion: The new work by EKS.Center will appeal for old-fashioned Electronic lovers; a kind of back to the roots!

Best songs: “Still On The Road”, “Event Horizon”, “Bboys Style”.

Rate: (7).

Artist: www.ekscenter.net / www.facebook.com/ekscenter

Label: www.m-tronic.com / www.facebook.com/mtroniclabel