Rich Nxt - Opulant [EP]

Sonat Records

September 21, 2009, 03:23 PM

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London based Rich Nxt has released his “Opulent EP” on Sonat Recordings. This is the follow up from his last EP on UK based “Mighty Rumble Records.” Rich Nxt has now taken his sound further down the minimal house road, and to good effect.

EP opener 'Dark City' begins with a lovely, bouncy house bass and sporadic crash cymbal sounds to which Rich Nxt has added some nice tribal influenced lay-outs and some timely and restrained synth elements. Rich Nxt has also added some lovely sporadic percussion elements which are fast becoming a trademark print of Rich Nxt’s sound. This is also the case with his effected vocal stabs and snaps. At about three minutes Rich Nxt has added, what I would call a “half-melody” to keep the track moving forward to the four minute mark where a rising synth pad is coupled with a vocal sample that roots this track firmly in Minimal House land.

Second up is probably the stand out track on the EP; 'I Live,' a beautifully put together house/deep house number that combines a lovely sub bass growl with a shaker rhythm and a well effected vocal sample. Rich Nxts aforementioned sporadic percussion elements come to the foreground again, gracefully moving the track forward whilst at the same time keeping the dance-floor guessing as to the direction of the track. By the three minute mark we are well into the house groove and here Rich Nxt adds some more vocal chopping with a nicely grunged up horn brass sound. There is also some nice delay work on this track and I am positive that 'I Live' will get a workout from even the most demanding house DJ’s. Rich Nxts' slick production and subtle layering of percussion means that 'I Live' is a House track that can be worked and tweaked throughout.

The EP closer 'Opulant' is another minimal house workout, with a proper nod to the Detroit scene. Once again, lovely percussion elements are present and this time they are married to some sublime “Detroit –Esque” bass, while the nicely rounded kick and groove keep the track flowing forward. The vocal stab that Rich Nxt introduces brings the track more into Deep House territory, which is not a bad thing. Rich Nxt certainly has an ear for sporadic elements. 'Opuluent' includes a one bar synth stab, a tribal chant and numerous tribal percussion elements sprinkled around the track like fairy dust. The overall effect of this is to keep the listener guessing in a very pleasant and welcome way. I would imagine that there is an “Opulent Part 2” on the way, perhaps a remix, that would take the sporadic elements that Rich Nxt so nicely works into his production and brings them either down an edgier route, or even into deeper house territory.

All in all Rich Nxt has given us a nice minimal house EP that certainly has its moments. For me, the stand out track being 'I Live' with 'Opulent' and 'Dark City' being minimal rollers that will work on any dance-floor by keeping the mood, experience and the party in good swing.

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