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Kurt Baggaley – Winterland (feat. Patlac and Petar Dundov Editions) [Chapter 24 Records]

by Ran Salman March 17, 2016

As the waning of the final winter moon comes to an end, Chapter 24 enters the world of wax with its first 12-inch release. For this next story in sound, we welcome back Kurt Baggaley, whose wonderful ‘Winterland’ also receives the attentions of Patlac and Petar Dundov with two immaculate Editions.

The EP has been in the hands of a chosen few since the summer, and has already been played by Âme, Solomun and H.O.S.H. at some of the world’s biggest festivals. Although initially released on vinyl, the Patlac Edition is currently the number one most charted track on Resident Advisor, picking up Pete Tong support along the way.

An artist who lives and breathes electronic music culture, Kurt Baggaley has evolved his productions into a unique and personal sound since his early days as the Electro artist Scape One. Taking in influences from early 80’s Chicago House, Detroit Techno and New York Club, with a fusion of Italo Disco, Euro Synth and Electro, his huge Former Self EP on SoHaSo in Spring 2015 was met with widespread acclaim on both digital and physical formats. Supported by the likes of Michael Mayer and Dixon, it was followed up with his debut release on Chapter 24 a few months later, opening the book with his Spiral EP.

Winterland continues this momentum. The title track blows in a cold, enveloping wind of analogue synths and drum machines, swirling around a central arpeggio. Disco, minimal and electro influences are clearly to be heard in what amounts to a unique and compelling piece of electronic music.

Patlac takes the reins for the first Edition. With original releases on liebe*detail and Soulfooled and remixes for Pets Recordings, Noir and Musik Gewinnt Freunde, his music possesses an empathy for time, people and place. Retaining some of the disco influence of the original, this sensitive and thoughtful approach results in an energetic Edition driven by pushing rhythms and deep, powerful grooves, but also with a refined sense of harmony and melody.

The final Edition on the package is a fitting one, from Croatian maestro Petar Dundov, who occupies the flip side. Dundov makes intelligent electronic music that breaks boundaries. His breathtaking take on the original embodies this ethos, hitting home with body twisting beats while also challenging the mind with complex melodies and slow-burning, hypnotic progressions. In his masterful hands, the track takes on life of its own, forever evolving and expanding and increasing in intensity.

With the Winterland EP, Chapter 24 turns the page on its first volume of releases, closing the Aesop’s Fables artwork series with a stunning linocut portrayal of ‘The Wolf and the Crane’ from in-house artist Simon Vaeth. The lessons from Aesop will make way for those of the Tarot, as the Book of Changes continues to shine a light on the wintry path ahead.

Release Date: April 22nd, 2016

Format || 12-inch vinyl (includes digital download)
Webshop || bit.ly/CH012_Vinyl
deejay.de || bit.ly/CH012_deejay
Juno || bit.ly/CH012_Juno
Phonica || bit.ly/CH012_Phonica