Artist: Milton Jackson
Title: The Fade Runner EP
Label: Urbantorque Recordings
By: Antonella Sirec | 17 January 2007
Tracklist:

• A1: Fade Runner
• B1: Apocalypse Then
• B2: Adventures In Stereo

Milton Jackson "The Fade Runner EP"

With so many labels currently swamping the market, it's sometimes a difficult process to wade through all the ever-growing number of releases each week and find those little gems that really make you pay attention. But given time and patience, they can definitely be found. One label that is getting people to pay attention of late is without a doubt Urbantorque. Having already released a number of well-received tunes, in particular last year's 'Blood' by Francois Dubois, they're set to continue their success with the release of 'The Fade Runner EP' by Milton Jackson.

'Fade Runner' begins quite surreptitiously with a sly beat before spliced synths are drawn into the track. A melody treated in much the same manner is slowly introduced and steers the track onto a very futuristic sounding plane. Throughout the duration of the composition, subtle pauses add a sense of tension to the overall feel before allowing it to take off on what I can only describe as an adventure in sound. At varying points, a high-pitched zipping melody adds another fractured layer to this already enjoyable track. From a top end view, 'Fade Runner' dips and rebounds and really grabs the listener's imagination with its spacey pulsating sounds and cutting synths. Those spacey elements are clearly the focal point of the track and contributes to the general sound being such a success while the chugging beat that you hear as a constant in the background also allows the track to stay grounded. This has to be one of the most creative tracks I've heard in a very long time and one that took me back to my early teen years where I spent many hours playing video games such as Space Invaders. If I close my eyes while listening to 'Fade Runner', my imagination runs wild and I almost believe that my childhood dreams of being Jedi Knight have become reality. Well, almost.

Up next on the EP is 'Apocalypse Then' which is the perfect partner in crime to 'Fade Runner'. As soon as the track begins, the beats have already taken on a much more up-tempo feel then that of its predecessor. The overall sound for this particular track is transfixed in the mellower areas of the key spectrum but that's not to say it's a chilled affair in anyway. Like 'Fade Runner', the focal points of this track revolve around a melody that is rendered in that stuttered pulsating manner but with this track more effects are interwoven with the synths while washed out effects add appealing layers of sound. There are many intricate sounds in 'Apocalypse Then' which all combine effortlessly to create a very enjoyable track. While 'Fade Runner' made me want to reach for the nearest light sabre, this particular track makes me want to run to the nearest dance floor.

Last but certainly not least is 'Adventures in Stereo' which I must admit took me by surprise. It begins with swirling synths and a delicate melody in the background but soon a warmer, lusher melody lingers in as a faint house infused beat gives the track a bit of a kick to it as it develops. The track travels at a beautifully hypnotic pace that is very laidback while cut up with that lush melody. At varying intervals throughout, atmospheric synths add to that languid feel while a raspy male vocal gives this particular tune a very sexy undercurrent to the track's feel. As I've already said, this really took me by surprise as I was expecting something more on the futuristic tip as displayed in the previous tunes but instead, what I got was a provocative number that made me want to find the nearest stretch of beach and immerse myself in a crystal clear sea. Aurally, this track just sparkles! An absolute stunner that I wish was much longer then its allocated five odd minutes.

Quite simply, 'The Fade Runner EP' is a stunning collection of tracks from Milton Jackson. Each composition on this release displays a sense of individuality without sacrificing the dance infused side of sound. 'Fade Runner' is a futuristic piece that will run rings around a darkly heaving club. If this doesn't make you think you've leapt inside an old school video game, then nothing will. While still displaying that spacey feel, 'Apocalypse Then' is more earth bound but with a great up-tempo feel that will have you shaking your hips before you know it. On the calmer side of things, 'Adventures in Stereo' will make you wish you lived near the perfect beach while still nodding your head in time to the infectious beat as you lose yourself in those lush melodies. Overall, a creative and very inventive EP that I found inspiring and that appealed greatly to my vivid imagination. Absolutely fantastic!