DJ extraordinaire John Kearns has been making waves in the world of electronic music since the tender age of 16. Now taking his Lateral Cut Groove moniker to new heights, Particles is proud to announce the Irishman's debut original EP in the shape of "Spring Tide".
Located in the Western province of Connacht, the Sligo resident has a history of success in front of the decks winning the Irish Mixing Championships in 2000 and two further competitions that ultimately led to a Creamfields Ireland opening slot. Not content with a host of performances across his homeland, a degree in Music Technology in Leeds, England, stood him in fine fettle for an assault on the underground dance community with his distinctive bass rich, ethereal sounds. Furthermore, so accomplished has the Lateral Cut Groove sound become, that Kearns has been able to pass on his growing knowledgebase to students at his own studio, "The Vault".
An incipient production career that opened with the "Electric Feet" EP on Liquid Grooves in 2011, has seen Lateral Cut Groove form a strong bond with the label that has published of the bulk of his work including remixes from such celebrated names as Josh Abrams, Danny Lloyd and Tuxedo. Further work for such luminary imprints as Stripped Digital, Balkan Connection and Baires have subsequently cemented a growing reputation with work supported by the likes of Dave Seaman, Darren Emerson and Carl Cox.
A Particles career that began with the lauded, "Organised Chaos", has gone on to be remixed by Stephen J. Kroos and Andrea Cassino, while Lateral Cut Groove himself has gone on to remix Big Al and Anthony Yarranton's impressive "Bag of Bells". Joining the Particles roster once one more the three-track "Spring Tide" EP now takes centre stage.
The title track itself epitomises the Lateral Cut Groove sound with its complex percussive grooves stratified across the stereo spectrum allied to a pulsating bass line full of emotion and energy. Simultaneously, a series of delayed keys spring forth in chinking glory to create a wave of excitement.
"Attitude Adjuster" provides the same deep, rich, backing as its predecessor as textured layers of pads pump in side-chain glory. Hi-hat rhythms shuffle in delicious head-shaking groove as a lead line emerges at the mid-point, accompanied by a chunky break-beat rhythm, before moving effortlessly back into full percussive glory.
Final track, "Out of Touch" extends Kearns' reach further with a clever and hypnotic stab motif that melds itself in perfect symbiosis with the rhythm section that envelops it. A strong tech-house flavour pervades as the track builds intensity, falling and rising in a breakdown that temporarily releases the relentless, fascinating cadence.
Three new tracks from Lateral Cut Groove give sense that a force is rising within the "Spring Tide".
Directed by Jay Epoch
AandR by Marina Gerardi
Mastered by Lateral Cut Groove
Design by Ben Mautner
Text by James Warren