Frederick - Disruptive Pattern Material LP Review [FFD004] (2014)

Upon first contact, one might surely wonder about Frederick's identity, origins and expertise, but a short glimpse at his debut LP and everything starts unfolding bit by bit. 'Disruptive Pattern Material' is the British name for camouflage, namely the patterned fabric used in military attire, while Fifty Fathoms Deep is a fresh Edinburgh-based label, born out of the collaboration of long time DJ and veteran producer Craig Smith and rising star Peter Oakden. A quick listen of the available snippets and the style, quality and maturity of his double LP debut album paints a clear picture of who the mysterious alias belongs to: it's Peter Oakden.

'Disruptive Pattern Material' is sprung into existence by a dramatic speech about 'An Artist's Struggle' which sets the mood, describes the characters and their relationship and establishes the entire concept of the album. 'Episode of Love' unfolds next with a slow-sung deep and melodic groove that drifts far into the landscape with it's icy echoed scores and weird moog-like synths that twirl and twist in a resonated dance of love. Serving as both interlude and prequel, 'I'm Still...' plays an emotional classic piano line under a wide-opened lead pad casually punctuated by futuresque stabs and effects. The piano line's pace slows down allowing for 'I'm Still Here' to suddenly unleash it's fat kick over a deep and low tuba-like bassline which then grows and grows accompanied by an elastic synth and clear shakers until it abruptly falls into a shiver-inducing vocal breakdown. 'Got No Time To Waste' is born out of echoed space where a tight kick emerges and calls upon a distant chord line which slowly fills the room. It then develops into a haunting vocal-infused pure suspense track courtesy of perfectly timed and pitched violin notes ending the first chapter with a personal statement that goes hand in hand with the overall concept both ideologically and musically.

We are greeted on the second chapter and disc by a strangely familiar setting of bells and chimes sung under the rain as a soft string flies over our heads whispering 'Be Free' while smooth pads gently wrap around us from time to time. Echoed seeds start to grow into an ever ascending string ensemble that attracts glassy jingles, crystalline esoteric bells that morph into the break as a tight synth line and that faded distant voice asking the ever-daunting question 'What Can I Be'. Stepping into 'The Darkness' we begin to descend into black culture territory stepping on the stairs of a harp-like arp line punctuated by electric bass stabs which ultimately make way to the icing on the cake: a blissful vocal sample of Nina Simone's legendary "Blackness" interview. The desire to drive through landscapes of endless time and space comes 'Over You' as the saturated synth pad gets you carried away on the palpable rhythm running underneath. The climax is reached deep into the journey as hypnotic turns into cosmic and spine shivering layers of sparkles, chimes, strings and pads burst out into oblivion. As any respectable chef-d'oeuvre ends in all of it's grandeur, it's time for the monumental ensemble of 'Heart Strings' to rise to it's glory and dissolve majestically into eternity.

'Disruptive Pattern Material' is a truly cinematic experience, an epic journey through sound, space and time, a revolutionary approach to deep house and an exemplary take on music production in general.

Out on the 17th & 24th of March on limited edition coloured vinyl!