Synthesthesia - Akathisia Live mp3 download

Arabella V.

This little-known gem of an album is a personal favourite, ever since I found it years ago at a dollar store. I have mixed feelings about a lot of the releases on Hybrid Structure, but this one is a clear stand-out. Crystal clear production compliments the aggressive acid techno and breaks contained within, as Guru Stefan blasts out a surprisingly fluid hour-long set. I gather it’s made entirely from his own material, composed for this performance, or perhaps drawing partially from previously released material (of which I’m not too familiar). The album unfolds like a DJ set, as each track is mixed fluidly into the next; the pacing is fantastic, backing off and bringing back the hard acid at just the right times so the listener never gets worn out. It sounds like it may have been edited down from a longer set (there are miniscule gaps between some of the tracks), but considering that it still hangs together very well. It starts off in a recognizable acid vein, but by the second half it descends into gritty abstract techno and drum n bass (“AH KIT ASIA”). The highlight, however, is undoubtedly the finale, “HI I A SAKTA” – a monster of a track that feels like a mini-mix all in itself, as it moves through phases, steadily building up steam till its ecstatic peak. Very impressive overall. Buy it if you can find it.