Rene LaVice – The Calling

Rene LaVice is well rehearsed when it comes to the arts, whether it’s visual media or music production, and his forthcoming release on the renowned RAM Records imprint epitomises his talent. Having taken different elements from a vast soundscape and technically moulded his vision, each track proves his eye for detail and infinite capabilities.

Featuring the vocal talents of Ivy Mairi, ‘The Calling’ sets a precedent. This record not only appeals in an auditory sense, but it also conjures emotionally-lead visions of cinematic proportions as the building blocks of a heart wrenching story begin to unfold – two lovers hitting a fork in their relationship, taking different paths to fulfil different destinies. Mairi’s delicate, voice-propelled ballad is pushed forward by an undertow of growling bass in a track bursting with emotional significance.

B-side ‘Freudian’ flips the EP on it’s head, with a darkly progressive intro that instantly commands your attention – a headsy riddim that’s gritty, growling and baring its teeth. As we drive deeper into the mix, the pitch is elevated sharply and the composition is diced up to leave you unnerved – a line of stamping drum patterns and raw bass.

The latter half of the EP centuries into completely different territory, including ‘The Calling’s first remix from Jason Burns – similarly executing the vocals against a sonically expressive backdrop, the gears are lowered and the tempo slowed, whilst Mo Clapz’ double take of ‘The Calling’ is squarely aimed at the dance floor. Yet again highlighting the tune’s structural depth, he underpins the melody with thumping bass as the track’s humanism floats between breaks, with steely percussion giving it a definitive edge.

An endless web of composition, the track listing thus provides a diverse backdrop for the whole EP and surely earmarks Rene LaVice as a producer to watch in 2015.