Elusive Japanese dub techno alchemist Shinichi Atobe drops off two slabs of literal heat in the dead of winter to keep hope alive. If you’ve been keeping up with the story so far, you know this is cop-on-sight biz, but read on if you must. It’s all about loopy shuffling opener “So Good, So Right,” a blue note obelisk that splits the difference between Sprinkles and UKG, rarely changing tack but when it does, it’s worth the wait. “Heat 1” and closing cut “So Good, So Right 2” are equally transportive, interspersed with effervescent DJ tools (“Heat 2,” “Heat 3,” “Heat 4,” “Bonus”) that round out the album in highly-functional form. Atobe’s peculiar brand of reflexive techno is among the most unique in electronic music today, but Heat is a particularly heartwarming entry in the man’s history book; oozing summery vibes without sacrificing the enigmatic and austere techy-ness we adore him for. Sold out quick first time around (everyone here bought a copy), we don’t expect these to hang around very long. Recommended.

• black double vinyl pressing
• music label: DDS 2018

reviewed by winston wolf 02/2019