Cross Section EP

As Frankie Bones eloquently noted, “the five year run of Plus 8’s sub-label Probe sometimes would seem to be putting out better releases than its parent label”. One of those indelible releases was ‘The Arrival’, signed by Casey Tucker under his Variable Frequency Technician moniker. “Cross Section”, the anthem that closed the B-Side of the original 1995 release, is getting now a re-release on Certain Music with two remixes from Fit Siegel and Marc Piñol plus a proper retake from Tucker himself.

It’s hard to tell what’s the most interesting feature of this singular track. Above all is a sharp and defining concoction of what listening to underground techno in the 90s was: warm and blissful chords over a metallic rhythm section, intrincate hi-hats, syrupy synths and a rubber-like bassline —you name it, the track covered it. Tucker’s 2021 remix keeps the vibe pretty much where it originally was, but now building things wider, tremendously three-dimensional and diaphanous. More than a remix, it’s a way to appreciate Tucker’s genuine evolution as an artist over the last three decades.

On the flip side, Fit Siegel signs an acidic and jazzy rendition full of twists and turns: keeping the groove in check while showing an infinite array of layers and melodic ingredients. Marc Piñol does pretty much the opposite while keeping the acid intention, building a ponderous bass-driven track with vocal delays, repetitive percussions and periodic glimpses of Tucker’s exquisite synths.