- These are good days for Surgeon fans. The seasoned UK producer recently began a six-part reissue series, SRX, and on the new release front comes Fixed Action Pattern, his first solo record in more than three years. Marking his debut on scene powerhouse Token, this two-tracker is also the first transmission from the Belgian label's upcoming Aphelion compilation.
In its original form, "Fixed Action Pattern" is a midtempo bruiser that rings with urgent immediacy. A couple quick cuts and transitions give it a retro feel. Roughened-up 4/4 drums aim for the gut and prickly, distorted synths provide endless tension. The dub version is completely different: deep, modern and almost meditative in its restraint. Blurring the lines between techno and dubstep, the low-swung percussion is smooth, sparse and packed with brain-tickling details, while broad, sonorous tones and thick clouds of reverb constantly glide into the mix. Something rude, something a bit more subdued—this one's another keeper from Surgeon.
TracklistA1 Fixed Action Pattern
B1 Fixed Action Pattern (Dub)