Blue Cell - Portworker EP [SMD182]

As Suffused Music continues to break new ground with a plethora of new releases and exciting new artists to their roster, German producers, Blue Cell, are now featured on the label’s 182nd release, as “Portworker” comes ashore.

From the medieval cathedral city of Cologne in Western Germany, Joachim Broeckers & Nicolas Albrecht have found themselves at the centre of the city’s cultural hub. Through their Blue Cell production soubriquet, the duo have taken their long-term friendship and passion for cinema, forming the Pearl Diver Records service that has seen them forge a creative hub that includes audio branding and photographic services, as well as a fully equipped recording studio full of analogue equipment.

As celebrated producers, over a century of production credits can be found next to the Blue Cell name. Over thirty of these can be found allied to their own Pearldiver Records, while the pair can also be found as regular contributors to the likes of Aethereal, OLD SQL and Stellar Fountain. Indeed, the latter has seen such impressive EPs as November 2016’s “Omegain”, and 2017’s “Leviathana” and “Davy Jones Locker”.

Making their debut for Suffused Music via July 2016’s successful “Initializing, vol. 10” compilation series, Blue Cell now return to the label with the typically enigmatic and impressive “Portworker”. The title track itself is a mature sounding piece that revolves around a strong bass line groove that sits rock solid against strong beat and off-beat percussive hats. Building in delicate fashion, a sumptuous array of pads present an emotive chord progression that feeds-in a modulated analogue lead line that plays its part across the eight-minute piece.

“Barracuda Bay” is epitomised by wondrous collage of searing analogue sounds and richly textured pads, allied to dominant kick and intricate percussive groove. Evolving in elegant fashion, an acetylene lead riff vies with shimmering motif to create an artful juxtaposition. A strong bass arpeggio adds further to proceedings in the breakdown and third movement, to strong effect.

The final track bears the hallmarks of its 1982 Depeche Mode namesake as the “Sun & Rainfall” wends its way across a rousing rhythmic backdrop and fizzing percussive cadence. A cavernous bass line makes its presence felt as shimmering arpeggio sits alongside a counterpoint analogue lead. Steam-powered white noise effects build throughout and an intermittent vocal sample provides further intrigue in a dynamic and intriguing work.

Presenting a trio of new tracks for Suffused Music, Blue Cell has firmly docked in safe harbour with their “Portworker”.

Blue Cell - Portworker [Suffused Music]
Blue Cell - Barracuda Bay [Suffused Music]
Blue Cell - Sun & Rainfall [Suffused Music]

Text by James Warren

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