Absolution Ep

Description

Tony Ollivierra's issued a generous number of singles and EPs under the Ibex moniker on Rushhour, Planet E, Yore, and his own Ibex Music, and now follows up his 2010 Yore release, Meltdown, with Absolution, though this time under his birth name. No matter: Ollivierra's music sounds great, whether issued under his real name or an alias, and Absolution is no exception. The infectious title cut gets things moving with a bass-powered blend of claps and funky rhythms before chunky house chords and silken synth figures add to the track's multi-layered splendour. A jazzier dimension rises to the surface of 'Quick Release' when the tune's churning hi-hats are joined by royally swinging electric piano playing and luscious synth pads. 'Phase Down' opts for a purer deep house sound in its focus on kick drums, claps, and futuristic synths, though the track proves that Ollivierra's naturally funky side can't help but emerge, here as it does elsewhere. Syncopated rhythms and electric pianos emerge one final time during the wide-screen 'Find My Way' in such a way that a balance is struck between synth-heavy techno and jazz fusion. Absolution is an unfussy clubcentric release that finds Ollivierra getting down to business with four body-moving cuts that liberally draw on house, jazz, and even Latin traditions.