after a short production break, the russian techno duo easy changes (denis cast & kilrill silas) are back with a 12 inch on the berlin/london based label, mean records, run by cesare marchese (cesare vs disorder) & federico benedetti (onirik). the lion is also a good drummer fits in nicely with the labels love of minimal techno productions that feature original sounds, moody melodies and deep aural landscapes. easy changes gained recognition in 2007 with two back to back hit releases on foundsound records. in 2009, they were the first ep from nervmusic, a moscow based label that focuses on unconventional techno started by cast, silas and friends. seated comfortably between the avant-garde and the dancefloor, the release has something for everyone. the title track, the lion is also a good drummer is an epic, crawling minimal techno production filled with stripped down percussion and abstract found sounds perfect for after-hours. on the flipside is the uptempo, quirky and tribal burlesque, replete with spliced vocal samples, snares, cymbals, bleeps and claps. for the burlesque remix, french producer doubtingthomas shows off his lifelong obsession with percussion and its rhythmic allure with the addition of a trippy drum solo midway through the track.

program 1 sets precedent for bass and distortion by giving zero respect to gravity with its displaced click-clock. the plane is minimal, creeping and crawling behind disorientating moves. program 3 bumps and pans around unpadded walls, snapping and reversing itself into a twilight zone episode of darkness. closing out the session is program 2, a ten-minute throb that echoes with dulled-snares, muted hi-hats and tone pulses that allow the bass in as the melody. influences of hawtin s concept 1 and plastikman (closer-era) projects float along, but jpls (aka jeremy jacobs) draws his own perspective with subtle lines, disjointed rhythm and evolving surprises of tone