Renowned US DJ, Producer and Label Boss Victor Calderone’s 20+ year track record speaks entirely for itself. Considered by many an influential and inspirational talent, Victor has entertained millions of people, both as an individual artist and the driving force behind his well respected MATTER+ Recordings imprint. The latter is being resurrected impressively in May, as Victor welcomes his cousin and fellow industry titan Avision to the table for the label’s relaunch in the form of a scintillating collaborative EP titled ‘Chemical’.
Stepping back into the fore five years after the last MATTER+ release, Avision picks up where he left off, teaming up with Victor to curate the label’s future releases and help steer the brand. In the first instance, he’s on hand to deliver an undeniably head-turning body of work alongside Victor that will undoubtedly put the label well and truly back on the map as a pioneering Techno imprint.
With two MATTER+ events already booked in the calendar, you can catch the guys paying at Public Records in Brooklyn for the launch on the 1st June, and then in Stereo Montreal on the 24th June.
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“The timing couldn’t be better for the MATTER relaunch. Avision and I have always been musically aligned, and we are ready to share this next chapter for the label.” Says Victor.
‘Chemical’ is what you would expect from two of Techno’s most respected and established names, flooding the release with a plethora of experienced club-focused energy and ultimately danceable production. The release is ushered in beautifully with an intro mix of the title track – set for a single teaser release on the 12th of May – serving your first taste of a long-
awaited reintroduction to the world of MATTER+ packed to the brim with tight drum grooves, sizzling hat sequences, sultry vocal runs and captivating musicality. This is swiftly followed with a DJ-friendly main mix of the track, packing an equally potent punch from start to finish.
On the title cut, Victor and Anthony agreed: “Chemical is a record written for the dance floor. We feel that it represents where we’re from as artists as it has a little bit of everything. The vocals, the groove, the melody, it’s all there for the listener to feel the vibe. It’s been crushing the dance floor every time we play it. And we can’t wait for everyone to hear it for themselves.”
‘Anomaly’ is next out of the gate, leaping forwards with driving rhythms and corrosive textures. An explicitly electro-laced heater with a thumping two-step cadence from the outset, its swirling arrangement of modular grittiness and glitchy synths weave a hypnotically marauding energy that keeps you firmly in its grasp for the duration with ease.
‘The Choice’ rounds off the release in stunning fashion as Calderone and Avision turn in their final dose of face-twisting underground goodness. Taking it back to the funkier side of old school US House-inspired Techno, there’s no denying this statement piece is the perfect closer to a long-awaited return to the limelight for Victor and his MATTER+ imprint. A groove focused core of punchy drum work and rattling industrial percussion pave the way for an onslaught of warping frequencies and an unavoidably catchy synth lead, dipping and diving through a perpetual portal of atmospheric breaks and hand-raising drops.
