Here After more than 10 years in the game and a string of successful EPs to his name, Idriss D releases his first proper album on his own Memento Records. At first conceived as a succession of singles for his “Dib 00” series (the first two being Constantine and Alger), the project then became more of a collection of dance floor tracks influenced by what he likes to play in his DJ sets. The title “Amalgamation” comes from the desire of bringing together his life experiences over the last few years, both music-wise and from a marketing and management angle,this time exclusively focusing on himself and gathering all the inputs in one single piece of work. “Transition”’s atmospheric vibe and ethereal sounds open the LP with a blast of hazy vocals and noises, followed by the percussive and trippy “Casa Baratas”, a nod to the early 90s Acid House movement. “Karma”’s pounding kick drum and stripped down arrangement are a true example of Minimalistic Techno at its wildest. The more personal “RIP Ouarda” was composed in memory of his grandmother who passed away: dark and hypnotic, it stands out as one of the most experimental on the album. Title track “Amalgamation”’s landscape of lush eerie synths makes it a blissful comedown number, while “Parall-el”’s bouncing rhythm speeds up the pace to high effect. “Strong Hayet” is dedicated to his mum, a source of continuos strength in Idriss’ life, both in good and difficult times: the heavy bass line and almost obsessive looping vocals and hi-hats are icy and dramatic. “Barn”’s pitch shifts and manic vocal samples swing through a maze of rim shots and toms, its stomping groove and pulsing beats closing off the album with a bang. ]]>