BOOSHANK Schallplatten & CDs

Review: Couch Acid Recordings chief Paul Graham doesn't release many records, but what he does put out under the Booshank alias is invariably excellent. Graham's latest outing - a label debut for Butter Sessions that marks his first release for two years - is certainly quietly impressive. All three original tracks are melodious, atmospheric and evocative, with Graham wrapping attractive synthesizer lines and vintage ambient techno style electronics around fizzing drum machine rhythms (see ace lead cut "FTH" and sludgy closer "Come On Honey". The centrepiece is undoubtedly the chiming, mesmerizing ambient wonder that is "Andys", a track that Gonno brilliantly turns into a breakbeat-driven club stomper on his must-check B-side remix.

Review: The good ship Juno traverses the Firecracker galaxy and lands once more in the spacious Unthank region with more down under cross genre pollinations. Last year's Inskwel induction was a noted highlight in the small but perfectly formed Unthank catalogue, but this fifth edition from the unheralded Booshank might just match it. Shout outs to House of Traps for the silk screen two colour sleeve that houses this clear vinyl 10" from Booshank (who sources tell us is something of a scene staple over in Melbourne) Loose gargling acid of the deranged kind characterises lead track "Single Dutch" whilst on the flip "Interstate" has that psychedelic, cosmic vibe that Max D does so well. Booshank's disregard for kick drum politics is demonstrated with aplomb on "Secret Life" a simmering concoction of bristling textures which explodes into a charge of drums with the kind of glee that's almost sexual.

Review: With founding fathers Sleep D at the helm, Melbourne operation Butter Sessions made an impressive first manoeuvre into the world of record label ownership with The Jackal EP issued last November. Sporting three cuts of raw, unprocessed sounds that wedged themselves in-between house and techno, Sleep D set the tone for what to expect from Butter Sessions and it's nice to see the label expand on this approach with their second release. Taking the form of a various artists split release, Butter Sessions Vol 2 looks and sounds great, with Sleep D themselves calling shotgun and laying down "The Magic Arpet Ride" whose synth based pun doesn't detract from what dovetails between moments of new age bliss and twisted rawness. Sometime Firecracker Booshank adds some tuffness with "Action Satisfaction" whilst "Acre Summit" is perhaps the most frenetic sounding production from Tuff Sherm yet. A deviation into deeper territory is afforded with the excellent "Base 60" from Dan White which closes proceedings.