Gardenbox

untitled (Album, 2003)

I've been watching the Greek label Poetra Negra grow over the last couple of years after hearing an early release by 2 by Bukowski. But Gardenbox are new to me and Poetra Negra may be new to many of you, but if you're a fan of the Ant Zen stable style then this kind of creative beat electronica is well worth checking out.

Second track Gravity has it all - a simple loop concept at heart that manages to transcend its humble origins into a sublime journey. Neat little samples of everyday objects like the click of a camera, or the rumbling of an engine peek out now and again from tracks that are built around accomplished use of sampled real instruments alongside the more overtly electronic. Occasionally, on tracks like You Can't Hurt It, this is more liked chilled spacerock, but wherever it goes its worth following. 7/10

Rob Dyer