As one of the founding talents of James Ruskin’s continuing Blueprint Records empire or Richard Polson and Nick Dunton’s seminal Surface Records, we at THEMA don’t really think we need to remind you who Oliver Ho is.  Since 1996 he’s released a steady stream of high quality, stylistically diverse, and highly dependable records on Blueprint, his own Meta, Light and Dark imprints, and such leading labels as Klang Electronik, Macro, and Poker Flat that bridge the gaps between techno, tech-house, and deep exploration and always keep DJs like us reaching for them when we need that not-quite-ordinary thing that keeps people moving. With his different aliases and long career, it’s sometimes difficult to say what exactly makes his sound so unique, but we’ve always enjoyed their tight, funky grooves that keep experimentation in mind at all times. It’s a delicate balance that most couldn’t maintain, but over 15 years Oliver has nailed it almost every time, and we’re proud to have him aboard
here for more of the same exceptional quality we’ve come to expect from yet another legendary producer.

Whether its under his own name or his more house-focused Raudive material, we’ve always been very impressed with Oliver’s originality, and we’re pleased to report that he integrates some of those avant-garde tendencies noted on his new Wires releases to excellent effect. Actually, some of that comes out on Glass Hearts opening track of the EP, “Calling” a spooky echofest haunted by abstract, metallic keyboards and repeated vocal detritus. Things go uptempo for the next cut, the “Dark Version” of Seven, where more repeated vocals, some very controlled toms and hats and downcast keys make for an appealing, tightly wound tune sure to make an impact in the mix. “Widescreen” splits the difference between the opener’s abstraction and the drive of Seven, and it comes up on the half-tempo, introspective side of things for something that we personally find a lot to like about. He heads back to the floor on the B side cuts, certainly the hardest and most unabashedly driving pieces here. “Windows” sneaks in with some nice rising pads making for something a bit moodier and deeper when combined with the punchy groove established by the drums and female vocal samples.  The closer, “King and Queen” charges forwards with his percussion programming, but there’s still a darker current under those fierce drums that shades the edges and makes for more complex and compelling listening to close this well versed EP.  A little something for all users.

The digital heads get a bonus “Light Version” of “Seven”, but honestly we don’t think that really changes the picture here too much. Another release, another techno legend, another day for THEMA... You know how we do it.

Text by: Albert Freeman