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Pepe Bradock Sets The Most Resistant Musical Path With 12" Repress
House | Monday 5th August 2013 | James
Although the release of Pepe Bradock’s Swimsuit Issue 1789 EP is now celebrating its fourth birthday, the news that he will release a 12” repress of ‘Path Of Most Resistance’ on Monday 12th August definitely makes it worth returning to.
It’s easy to produce a song that can be categorised in the increasingly broad soulful/deep house genus; the trick is making it sound effortless. Bradock sets a fine example of how to produce a track which can be carried all the way through by two melodically simple synth chords, and little else. Here is a track which doesn’t need to break, build or reverb its way to success, but is happy to sit at that perfectly subtle level. It’s a shining example of that indescribable sound which could be seeped straight out of a night time Parisian fairy tale, with the minimally broken-down sampled vocal trying to cry through the poignant sentiments that bounce off the song and straight into your soul.
It’s fair to say the French have gained themselves something of a reputation at producing this line of melody (you only have to treat your ears to Martyn’s Great Lengths for further proof) and it’s refreshing to hear this transcend to a more funky, techy wavelength on other Bradock productions such as ‘Life’ and ‘Deep Burnt’, as well as ‘CU @ Minna & Lafayette’ which features on next week’s repress.
It’s only on further listening that you realise ‘Path Of Most Resistance’ has all the standard elements you would associate with a typically ‘deep’ house number: pulsating clapping beats, jazzy synths, a chord-echoing bass. and yet you feel that Bradock could have added hundreds of more layers to the song without changing the lasting impression it has on the listener. The 12” repress of this wonderful tune is an avid reminder of how to harvest a song that produces the same effect on you whether you’re on your way to work, taking the dog for a walk or dancing your heart out at 4am. More of this attitude to music should be welcomed.
James Davies.
