Typerope

Thanks to being played by several notable DJs (and rightfully so), "Typerope" brought Vancouver producer Mathew Jonson and the Itiswhatitis label to a wider audience in the minimal house/techno community. Jonson had already become one to watch, due to earlier solo singles and a phenomenal production with Cobblestone Jazz ("The Fifth Element," heard on Daniel Bell's 2003 mix album for Logistic), but this is a release that graying clubbers will no doubt remember several years down the road. While a good percentage of the best microhouse tracks are criticized for being prissy, Jonson here avoids that characteristic completely with ripe, bouncy basslines and keyboard accents that dart and zip instead of hover. Jonson's experience as a multi-instrumentalist is always evident; the interplay between the several elements in each track is dazzling. With another release or two that comes anywhere near this level of quality, the producer will surely be considered one of the best in his field. ~ Andy Kellman