PREMIERE : Saine – Technique [FINA Records]

Saine Mint EP

FINA Records was established in 2011, originally as an offshoot for Ralph Lawson’s 2020 Vision label. Three years into that tenure, the partnership ended with both parties looking to focus on their own imprints full time. The identity that FINA has crafted for itself is one that’s hard to put a finger on, as their releases encompass a fairly wide range. Not pigeonholing themselves into one style they do manage to have a common factor connecting their music and that is strong melodic undertones. Whether it’s a fairly downtempo tune or a more straightforward house jam, there is always an inherently musical nature to their output.

Saine (soundcloud), a Helsinki-based producer who has somehow managed to fly (somewhat) under the radar for years, even with his consistent quality, is a perfect fit for the aforementioned unquantifiable character that FINA has established for itself. His loose and smokey, organic sound filled with obscure samples has landed him releases on some fantastic record labels, such as an EP on the now discontinued Sleazy Beats Black Ops and an excellent mini-LP on Fools & Fables Recordings. The Finnish musician’s latest is called “Mint EP” and it features three stellar cuts.

[soundcloud url=”https://soundcloud.com/boltingbits/premiere-saine-technique”/]

Today’s premiere and the A1 ‘Technique‘ doesn’t stray from what we’ve come to expect from Saine. Muted keys set the tone as a looped guitar rhythm and understated bass form the foundation of the groove. Crisp yet slightly hazy drums are in support with shaker patterns fluttering throughout. A second guitar sample plays call and response with a held vocal note while a male voice croons an unintelligible phrase. Sampled rhodes-like bleeps doodle throughout the first half when the vocals aren’t present, taking centre stage during the mini-break. The various instruments and samples are elegantly filtered in and out while oscillating atmospheric noises help create a sense of motion. The Finnish sampling maestro is once again able to bring forth another must-have record and the good news is that it will be released in just a couple of days!

Pre-order it here.


Igor