seven

broker/dealer is an idm project coming from san francisco, and this cd is their only release on this media up to date. the disk comes in a stylized boombox cardboard sleeve and in addition to four tracks features a nice interactive video.

what attracted me in broker/dealer is simplicity and melancholy of the tracks. opening "number-oneselection" has a few special effects on top of simple analog keys and downtempo minimal percussion. it is soothing and yet contains some of the playfulness that is attributed to the genre. following ambience of "groby_mape" is filled with deep echoing analog touches and even slower percussion. the track is more dreamy than its predecessor, but lacks some of the teasing elegancy. what makes track three an absolute favorite of mine, is its use of deep, almost acoustic-sounding analog lines combined with vocal samples. that is one finishing and distinctive touch that makes this song unforgettable. percussion on "that_snice" is simple, almost minimal, letting multiple analog lines do their magic. closing "wakeup" envelopes you with minimal textures filled with soothing analog touches and gentle percussion. it is a little too simple at times, but vocal samples really add a nice touch. oh, and there's also a secret track after all, minimal and pleasant, with sparse percussion and small analog noises.

overall, this is a nice and quite promising release with its own subtle charm and elegancy, moving between minimal percussion and addictive strings and almost ambient textures. at times it is a bit too minimal and simple, but it has a nice touch and a definite potential.