Lost bleep techno gem lovingly rescued from obscurity by Irish techno imprint Major Problems. “Pressure”, David Duncan’s sole production as Ability II was recorded at the behest of LFO’s Martin Williams while Duncan was a student at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance in Leeds. Tempered drum machine rhythms punctuate a dead-serious bassline, all anchored by dubbed-out atmospheric vocals provided by Duncan’s schoolmate Clemency Nyaga. Demand for the tune bubbled as rave luminaries Fabio, Grooverider and Jumpin’ Jack Frost (before they became renowed junglists) caned it on dubplate in advance of the official release. Having reached don’t-even-bother-looking-it-up status, this record was deemed unattainable and all but forgotten until now. This 2017 reissue includes the original and dub mixes as well as a new mix by Klasse Recordings boss Luca Lozano which retrofits it as a slick breakbeat house tune, all housed in a picture sleeve with all-new Japanese Ukiyo-e-inspired artwork which we don’t quite understand, but aren’t mad at.

• picture sleeve
• music label: Major Problems 2017

reviewed by dj winyl destination 05/2017