Cleptophonic Movente LP Pregnant Void Records | The Electro Review

Cleptophonic
Movente LP
Pregnant Void Records
TBR: 15th March


Making his debut as alter-ego Cleptophonic, this secretive Italian DJ and studio whiz puts down a unique and thorough sound with every turn. Already with a reputation for exquisite attention to detail, something we could all do with a bit more of I would say, we're brought into a rich and diverse world of experimental trip-hop. Cleptophonic gets lost in his productions, when at the mixing desk and vinyl decks, nothing else matters while he's producing his mind warping and adventurous music. Ensuring that all the sounds are full of meaning, Cleptophonic chooses ways of associating with sensations and emotions through his compositions and mixes that draw us in for countless inspirations. The creation of a vinyl musical collage with the help of computer software results in intricate and entertaining dreamscapes built from carefully selected units of music.


It starts on Degrade. Glistening synth pads ring out in warbling tones which scatter fragments of light across the empty space. Wooden drums reverberate and echo to one side, forming a rhythmic pulse to the cushion of glowing sound. Chords begin to form from the solitary notes, extra tones bustle together to fill out the melodic ocean of synthesiser. New tempos build in through the loop of sounds which run together like neatly placed bricks. Undercurrents of sound and trill swirl through the mixture. It closes down and makes way for Space 92. Deep and throaty bass tones gargle in odd tangents while a drum-beat slowly builds into a groovy rhythm. Cymbals, snare, and kick-drum form a neat and calming beat for more wide-reaching and luminous pads to lay their striated atmospheres. Relaxing beats and subtle melodics gather the dream and flatten it out in front of our ears.


A bass and funky tone drum melody follows. Jerky beats on the shaking bass notes mix with tapping quick-drum to let us in on a traditional feel. Rhythmic tones add another layering of quality which progresses into a wide open field on sonics, sprinkled with glittering cymbal strikes and strange breathy sounds. JZz65 slowly moves us along streets of high-rise buildings, their metallic frontages shining in the artificial glow of neon lighting. Turing over the record, the next number starts with a subtle bubbling drum. It's difficult to hear and as we prickle our sensations to catch it, a fruity and wobbly bass-tone breaks through the moss like a plough. Striking beats crumble into the distant background beats, and they're joined by a more classical sounding drum-kit which adds a calm-tempered and consistent rhythm. Dust is a track that feels like we are examining a tiny area of the ground which for some reason has completely captivated us.


Rounded tones strike bell-like melodies while a spiralling treble tone grows up and out like spring shoots. Fingered percussion on tuneful gamelan style notes greet wailing guitar clean yet dowsed in a generous dose of reverb. Enchanting piano melody begins to play over the top of the track, as the guitar and percussion rattle on behind, a violin string adds yet more colour to this beautiful and gentle composition. So I Go perhaps remembers the feeling of putting the dreams away for another day and heading back to the centre. It rolls out and over into Oddissey in a seamless transition. Plucked string and wooden melodics combine to give a soul of a swaying and relaxing rhythm. Breaths of synthesiser tone plant atmosphere and motivational textures to the mix. The music breaks down into just one melody for a couple of bars. Highly warped tones do their best to make effective impacts on the silence and as they valiantly surge forward, extra sections of the mix rejoin the composition to give them a hand.


The second vinyl of the album starts with Five. Steady digital kick drum builds in tempo while a mixture of synth tones play in unison to a two stroke melody. New notes poke through in a rhythm which greets the jostling drums. An evolved version of the initial melody continues to play on through the mix while dub rhythms create a frothy and happy feeling groove. The rhythms merge with squelchy bass tones and the kick pierces the surface in regular intervals. More melody is gained, the harmonies reaching up and down, and interesting sounding tones reach out to the sides with gradually shifting frameworks. Capture opens with a staggered bass drum which gradually gets garnished with extra percussive elements. Synthesiser pads reveal yet more glorious zones of inner intention, each bar effortlessly transmutes to the next, occasionally revealing a new edge and other times climbing on the invisible air left behind. Where does all this energy go? Into enjoyment pleasure.


Distant rumblings of industry mark the opening bars of the next number. As the revolving engineering continues in its process, rhythmic static bursts of energy split the atmosphere like sparks. A vocal sample speaks the title of the track, Wrong Place, and darkly sinister tones twinkle like menacing lights on overbearing architecture. Shadows loom over the busy horizon, yet a sense of pitch darkness gives a grainy and detached quality. The ominous sensations which creep up and tower over us gives us an adventure into areas less walked. Rumbling drums which carry an element of crack and smash shed a new found light on the music for what comes next. BB is the first track of side two on the second vinyl. Skyrising tones climb ever upwards in angelic bursts of perspicuous sound. As the signals of sound grow up and out, rhythmic patterns neatly arrange the slowly evolving array of beats and melody to fit a DJs repertoire.


The next track is called Insane. Edgy drum starts with a motion of progression and soon it's joined by reversed tones that wobble on their own axis. This balance of sound acts like a fulcrum which adjusts in a circular motion, perfectly balanced and ready for the next element of music. Spongy bass tones crunch in ghostly downpours of vibration. The album ends on Bonheur, happy hour indeed, we've had a great journey from start to finish. The track starts with heavenly synths that dance like moving sunlight, strings and vocal effects create an angelic chorus of melody. An ocean vibrates slowly in the background, its waves breaking and receding over a stony shore. Birdsong clamours through the arrangement, pushing all to one side before that too fades into silence.


Cleptophonic ought to be extremely proud of this artistic and far reaching escapade into sound and delight. Ambient and astounding, Movente makes full use of a sonic arsenal of atmospheres, rhythms, and sonic architecture.

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Ultra rare music, so enjoy this playlist from parent label OUT-ER.

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