TNTSSFW 01A by Markantonio, I Am Bam, SIS, 8281, Althoff

Davide Squillace's label This And That Lab is proud to launch a new series of seasonal Various Artists releases and this first edition features tracks from a broad cross section of artists including Markantonio, SIS, NiCe7, Niconé and Marcos In Dub. There are planned to be four editions of this series a year, each one split into two volumes as “Part A” and “Part B”. With a focus on textures both audible and visual, there is a keen focus on design, and each release will be a combination of fresh talent plus veteran artists. Matching the four seasons of the year, the series is titled “Spring Summer Fall Winter” and each release has been handpicked by Davide Squillace. Italian techno don Markantonio whose releases on label's ranging from Drumcode to his own AnalyticTrail, opens the release with a tribal tech house track that breaks away from his usual style. Working in collaboration with I Am Bam (Bunny Tiger / Flashmob) the opening track’s up-tempo vibe sets the dancefloor focused tone for the rest of the LP. With an instant switch up, the second track is from Crosstown Rebels and Mobilee artist SIS, whose deep and dubby track has a moody atmosphere and stripped back sound. Track three is from the hotly tipped 8281 who is a relatively secretive artist, but already boasts music signed to Circus Recordings plus Desolat, and his quirky track “Better Know” has a quirky style with melodic synths and a percussive groove. Althoff is perhaps the least known of the artists on the LP with this arguably being his biggest release to date, but his track “Budva” is one of the best and most prominent with tense synth and a delicate melody. Certainly a talent to keep an eye on, his music has also featured on UNDER TONES and the Vintage Music Label.

If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him. It is artistic freedom that will be fuelling the fires of Davide Squillace’s latest project. The This And That lab. will combine music, art and culture to provide a platform for like-minded artists to develop a host of creative projects.