by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

This is a compilation of more recent EPs recorded by Cristian Vogel under his NEL alias. The eleven tracks cover four separate releases, and as a bonus add two new tracks.

The NEL alias has a reputation for enabling the Chilean producer to explore a side looking at tougher rhythmic profiles, largely using modular synthesizers and improvised material.

What’s the music like?

The live approach pays dividends for Vogel on this compilation. Each of the tracks on NEL Adventures teems with life, packed to the gills with plenty of melodic and percussive ideas.

Vogel is very clever with his use of rhythm, not for art’s sake but generating positive energy as the percussive motifs ricochet across the stereo picture. The pinball percussion of Mirabelle is a case in point, the rhythms gradually giving way to a bell-like figure, while The Misty Quay sounds like a much older ‘90s piece of techno, its jagged riffing given counter melodies in a modular extravaganza.

Complementing the bright invention are darker tracks like Shadowgraphs, which explores deeper waters with dark keyboards, and Orchid, which presents a thoughtful exterior in spite of its solid beat. Understory cuts deep with its sharp synth riff and uncompromising beat.

The new tracks make a strong impact. Gullane nips along with constructive mechanical ideas, the ideas bubbling up to the top while the clipped rhythm chugs along behind. Earthsea is full of energetic crossrhythms, initially delicate but developing into bright block chords.

Fortuna is arguably the pick of the lot, its liquid ideas given a strong drum beat and clever sonics that bounce around as though the listener is in a gigantic pipe. Tyrkisk Peber runs it close, a shimmering mass of keyboards that generate even more momentum when the drums arrive.

Does it all work?

Yes. Vogel explores a wide range of colours in his work, though you might find some of the more dizzying cuts – such as The Insight – a bit too ‘heady’ at earlier hours in the day!

Is it recommended?

It certainly is. Vogel has built up an extremely sound reputation in techno circles, but this essential addition to the catalogue shows he is in no way resting on his laurels. His music is still packed full of ideas and invention, with wit and humour round the edges too. There is a whole load to enjoy here!

For fans of… Joey Beltram, Etienne de Crecy, Richie Hawtin

Listen & Buy

Published post no.2,107 – Monday 4 March 2024