Endemic Void
Equations

The early nineties saw the definitive triumph of jungle and drum 'n bass: projects led by groups of artists and labels such as Talkin' Loud, Metalheadz, and Good Looking Records brought to light some works that definitively established the characteristics of the genre and immediately set themselves as benchmarks for all albums to come. The inevitable contaminations that followed worked towards a fusion between electronic music and different genres, among which jazz came to occupy a privileged place, thanks to its syncopated rhythms that well suited the musical project established in the electronic realm.

It is in this direction that Equations by Endemic Void alias Danny Coffey is positioned, an album released in 1996 by Language, a London-based label born the previous year and aiming to introduce the public to a music based on experimentation and innovation in the electronic field. The result from Coffey's work is excellent: right from Hydrosphere, the opening track, the melodic fusion is of excellent craftsmanship; the relentless rhythm drags the listener into an irresistible crescendo interspersed with pauses and jazzy interludes that integrate seamlessly without slip-ups or drops in tone.
Lion Stone starts slowly, gently, the rhythm builds supported by the heavy bass, to then explode into a melodious drum 'n bass of exquisite quality. Inner Daze is undoubtedly one of the most successful tracks: on a base with more typically jungle traits, piano and subsequently flute overlap, the rhythm slows down, stretches, reopens to listening, and the atmosphere is what you might experience in a smoke-filled jazz club, a whiskey in hand, fingers lightly tapping on the table following the beats.
Inner Daze is sweet, initially dominated by the voice of Emma Stow, but it's just the opening, and you already know that bass and drums won't be able to wait much longer; with Knight Moves and Inflections you move towards more experimental electronics, in Confuzed the hip hop influences progressively make their way.

Few are the moments of pause, few the lapses in style in an absolutely enjoyable album, making us regret the premature ending of the Endemic Void project, which leaves us only with this splendid chapter.