Tools 01

Kenji Hina aka Alarico is in the forward ranks of the next generation of techno producers coming from the East. He’s made great inroads with outings on labels like Emerald and now lands on EC2A with the first in a new series of tool-focussed 12″s. ‘Witness’ begins with a muscular and glitchy techno rhythm embedded with samples of a hip-hop classic and twinkling chords. ‘Activated’ is lithe garage-techno with blasts of ominous bass and ‘Trample’ brings a filthy bassline from classic Northern bassline and ‘Strikers’ brings a darker and more menacing bit of spangelcore with little vocals pulling you out of the smoke. ‘Nasty’ has digital melodies and grime vocals for a fiery finish.