Artist: Dousk
Title: Estrange EP (Part One)
Label: Vapour Recordings
By: Chloe Harris | 5 January 2006
Tracklist:

• A: Estrange (Original Mix)
• B: Snowcone

Dousk "Estrange EP (Part One)"

John Ntouskos, better known as Dousk, came into 2005 with some brilliant music for labels such as Bedrock, Klik and Lost Language. A professionally trained musician in jazz and classical, he's also finished an electronic music production and engineering course to expand his art. He knows how to capture a listener with his deep and textured tunes, but always finds the right amount of funk to settle in there. Dousk pulls out all the stops for Kasey Taylor's Vapour Recordings with two great 12" singles forming an EP, with the first part featuring a lovely bubbly progressive tune called 'Estrange' and a deep house number entitled 'Snowcone'.

'Estrange' is a class tune. It's a brilliant flow of bubbling melodies and deep bassline grooves sat on top of watery tones and electro infused drums. The percussion builds with toms, effects, and a kick, that carries the song through a blissful bouncy melody. Random synths weave in between the percussion, adding layer up layer of beauty. A throaty bass whip of a bassline starts in, while the momentum really steps up and throws us into a break. The synths swim around creating a dramatic depth, while the funk starts bubbling up again. A minimal drum change takes us back into the kick, while the synths and spacey washing tones fill in the space. This is a beautiful song that really needs to be heard.

Touching on a deep house vibe, 'Snowcone' is a thoughtful and lush piece of music. Tribal drums accompany a shuffling beat which opens up to smooth synths that glide together creating a beautiful slow paced tune. Tiny melodies and guitar licks hide deep in the background, while a main hook captures your ears. A deep groove sets in underneath riding up and down keys before dropping into a short break that makes room for a new richer bassline. It's a bit funkier and takes us to the end of this mellow tune.

I can't say enough good things about Dousk. He's been a favourite of mine since I first became acquainted with him. He has found his own niche within the electronic music community, with his deep progressive music as well as his electronic and ambient sounds. Part One of the 'Estrange EP' is a lush body of work, and much like everything he does is something that you must find.