FABRIZIO MAURIZI OK, SWITCH ON M60 After 10 weeks of silence to commemorate 10 years at the forefront of the minimal movement, the Minus machine rumbles back into action with debutant Fabrizio Maurizi and his aptly named single - OK, Switch On. A product of Bologna?s underground scene Fabrizio has fast become one of Italy?s most prominent minimal djs. Inspired to produce after witnessing one of Richie?s shows, he set his sights impossibly high by deciding to only send his demos to the man himself. The long wait and perseverance has been worthwhile. The gamble has paid off and here are the first fruits of his labour. The lead in track Cabron! is pure dancefloor. Driven on by an irresistible metallic snare pattern, it?s a patiently constructed track with a strong sense of space and a succession of dramatic build-ups. A collision of bone dry beats, precision bleeps and an electrified hook line that really whips up a storm. Fabrizio?s dark and funky side really comes to the fore on My Imaginary Friend. In line with the track title, his distorted vocal cut ups give the track a weird, tripped out flavour while the deep, warbling bassline frequencies, edgy breakdowns and twisted percussive melody all contribute to the slow burning tension that fills the air. It?s a sweat inducing, claustrophobic crawlspace that finally opens out as the main break gives way to a tough, driving hihat / snare combo. The first digital only track, Before the Wind, elaborates on the sampled vocal motif even further, chattering over a disjointed bassline and an expanding and contracting snare pattern, that skilfully alternates between sheet and forked lightening fx. As the track develops, a stone cold melody crystallises around the groove before a deep, ominous bass drone drags us unforgivingly to the point of no return. No Fear, the second digital bonus track, offers up more audio beatings in an alternative style. The mechanical beats combine perfectly with a classic italo-disco bassline while another floor friendly arrangement shows that Fabrizio clearly has DJing in his blood. The delicate balance of darkness and light together with the clever interplay of rhythmic analogue elements and jumping basslines make this classy release a must have and goes to show that a bit of self-belief can turn your dreams into reality. All tracks have been tested by Richie Hawtin on the dancefloor and have been at the top of his charts for the last six months.