Oak - Escapist/Firebird

The Space Cadets label is no stranger to pushing the boundaries of musical genres, regularly promoting and releasing material from some of the most innovative artists in electronic music. However with Russian producer Oak, they may have just reached their pinnacle.
Listen to the tracks in the player below.....done? ok...now, believe it or not, what you just heard lingers around the 170bpm, or in other words could be described as Drum & Bass. As mind blowing as that is, it's not what makes this release so fascinating. Many artists have and continue to break down genre conventions, but it's the style with which Oak accomplishes his feat which is most impressive.
The A and B side here are both excellent examples of highly thought out, immersive audio experiences.
'Escapist' blends emotive analog warmth with a comfortingly full bassline against the off-tone, yet  blissfully saccharine synth leads. It both simultaneously demands attention, whilst reassuring the listener enough so that it could fade into any background, or rather fill an atmosphere. Surely such qualities characterise the track alongside Jazz more than any 'Electronic' genre.
The same too can be said about 'Firebird', as it's clicking background percussion and dis-chord synths progress through a bass heavy arrangement, complete with climactic brass elements, as powerful as they are compressed.
It would appear that Oak has birthed his own niche, a kind of Electronic-Bass-Lounge music, as comfortable at play in the trendiest bar as in the headphones of an Underground commuter.
Though they're are only two tracks, they represent some serious progression, not just in music, but also in what is fast becoming one of our favourite labels.
Grab the vinyl or mp3 here, and join the experience.  WANT MORE? Then follow The HotBox on Facebook and Twitter