Roots Underground kicks off 2024 with a bang, presenting the EP of one of Detroit techno's most fascinating living legends: John Beltran.
Born in Lansing, Michigan, Beltran began his career in the '90s with numerous albums and EPs on labels such as Peacefrog, Ubiquity, and R&S, to name a few. These works have become true cornerstones of sophisticated and melodic techno, thanks to his unmistakable style that blends ambient, jazz melodies, and IDM, which has become his trademark.

All these elements are found in the magnificent "Il Ritorno EP," composed of four tracks. The EP opens with the very Italian title track (A1), which from the very first beats makes us soar thanks to rolling arpeggios and sharp hi-hats that fit perfectly, creating an ever-growing groove that never lets go! With "City Sunset" (A2), closing the A-side of the EP, the atmospheres become deeper and more melancholic, without ever giving up the rhythm, thanks to Beltran's skillful drum programming.

The B-side opens with "Finally Home" (B1), a refined ambient techno track that takes us back to the dreamy atmospheres of many of Beltran's productions under the pseudonym Placid Angles. "Il Ritorno EP" closes with the sweet and rough atmospheres of "Carrettera," a mystical journey of over nine minutes of infinite New Age/Techno elegance.

Although he has never stopped producing music (luckily for us!), this EP represents a more than welcome return of John Beltran to those more classic techno sounds that have made him one of the most iconic producers of this musical genre in the world.

TRACKLIST:

A1. Il Ritorno

A2. City Sunset

B1. Finally Home

B2. Carrettera