Ruffin tells stories through the eyes of an artist that has ridden the roller coaster of the Great Recession (like many of us have). One might assume these songs would be bitter, but Ruffin writes instead about seizing the moment, taking control of one’s life and making things happen regardless of what others say or think.

promotional poster

credits
Tim Wanish – guitar, vocals
Brian Lerch – drums
Dean Dunakin – bass
written by Wanish/Lerch/Dunakin
produced and mixed by Dean Dunakin
mastered by Hanzsek A/V
artwork by Dean Dunakin
released 22 mar 2012 by Zen Dozer, ZD007

A great overview of Zen Dozer’s local bands and DIYWHFO philosophy. You can hear musicians guesting on various tracks, helping each other take those songs higher in vision and quality.

Includes tracks by Bounte, Fight Nice, Mom Dad It’s Evil, Number Nine, and Ruffin.

Chicago producer and songwriter Bounte further develops his clever integration of myriad synths, beats, vocals, and ambient textures into a gripping blend of electronic, pop, jazz, and classical structures in his second full-length album, Two.

Hard-hitting electro anthems like Small Together and What’s in the Cards are contrasted with delicate, mournful ballads Unborn and Taking You, while label-defying tracks like Thingawowzer showcase Bounte’s musical inventiveness and creative programming.

Guest appearances by local musicians add variety and flavor rooted in the Chicago scene. Alan Ruffin of Silver Atlas contributes the majority of vocals, joined by Brittany Bindrim of i:scintilla, Lauren Cheatham of The Atomica Project, and Young Hoodchiano. Production by Wade Alin of The Atomica Project/Christ Analogue adds a final sheen of clarity and excitement to the mixes.

Tight harmonies and driving rock rhythms energize this collection of originals from rock ensemble Number Nine.

A contemplative instrumental transition to Bounte’s second full-length album, 1.5 is a four-song collection of unreleased tracks not included on the more vocal-oriented Two.

The second release from Chicago native Bounte, this four-song EP is an aggressive, pounding counterpoint to 2007′s One. Dominated by grinding beats, heavy distortion, and cavernous reverb, overlaid with glitchy throbbing synth work, Maximal is an ode to the dark side of electronic music, while maintaining Bounte’s signature melodic touches and traditional Chicago house flavor.

The album begins with the skittering synths and beats of D575. Cubic Feet and Phalanx Symbol, a pair of four-on-the-floor smashers, provide a fitting segue with their pounding rhythms and surprisingly delicate synth work. Sextuple X closes things out and reminds us that even when making music that is hard as hell, Bounte doesn’t leave his jazz-flavored melodies behind.

One is the debut album from Chicago native Bounte. Combining a breakbeat and IDM backbone with strong melodic textures and melodies, One is a unique take on the current electronic music scene.

From the spacious female vocals of Going Nowhere and Glide to the skittering instrumental programming of del Frompson, One showcases Bounte’s musical inventiveness, all the while maintaining a current sensibility. The production by Wade Alin (The Atomica Project) adds a modern shine to the mix, and brings the music’s ambient undercurrent into the open.