one(15) / Acid Test

Berlin’s champions of the TB-303, Acid Test celebrate their 15th anniversary with a compilation of 13 tracks at, or below, 115 BPM. All, of course, employ Roland’s little silver box, but do so to varying effect. Iron Curtis presents Leaves’ “xACD” is the slowest number. Riding a pulse like a resting heartbeat. Donato Dozzy’s “Acidioma” is next. Its machines making a gnarly growling, and emitting hypnotic, fluctuating oscillations. AAA’s “Acid X Angel” hits 99, an easy ocean, a sea of serene, mutable, malleable, melodic modulation. Lerosa’s “Rasul” clocks in at 100, as does Om Unit’s “Sun In Pisces”. The former buzzes, kinda kosmische. Tabla tickling its low end. The latter is bumpier, bouncier. Its effervesce sending out strange shapes, squiggles, around soft, seductive, ethereal sighs. Tin Man’s “Flowering Acid” is slightly faster. Its sparse, seemingly spontaneous emissions set to a shuffling rhythm. Its theme, Boards Of Canada worthy. Katatonic Silentio’s “Quicksand” rumbles around…