Considering that Aroy Dee first made his way onto the scene back in 2003, it comes as a surprise that Sketches is his first full length album. It would be easy to assume that many a title would have been notched up in a decade, however helming M>O>S Recordings and its Deep offshoot must be a time consuming exercise. All things considered, it feels that Sketches has come at just the right time for Dee - he is riding high on the success of the nigh on unsearchable '#####' (the much talked about split release with Marco Spaventi that reworked Design A Wave's lush Weird F to great effect) and both aforementioned imprints have been on imperious form in 2014.
If you are lucky enough to go hands on with the limited edition twelve inch release, you will see that Sketches is a labour of love. Presented in gatefold vinyl, the black and white wireframe art from Aroy himself is striking. This artistic touch continues onto two slabs of smoky white marbled vinyl and a sketchbook of further drawings from the M>O>S head man. Colourful vinyl release are ten a penny nowadays as labels attempt to peacock your attention as they nestle in the racks, yet, before a single sound has even played, Aroy is already capturing the imagination more than the lurid competition.
Pleasingly, you discover this measured touch continues as Sketches starts to unfurl. As a master of dewy, misty house music, Dee hasn't seen the need to dilute his sound for the album format. While this template is the perfect accompaniment for crispy Spring mornings or the futile white sunlight that comes before the sudden onset of a late Autumn sunset, there is also a directness that appeals to ones desire to gather en masse in a darkened room and flail ones limbs around liberally.
Tracks like Pure, Blossom and Ashes To Ashes should be mandatory soundtracks for Chicago and Detroit as morning breaks, just as the twinkle of night is joined by the colouring of the sky as the city is dappled with chilly shadows, this atmosphere reflected in their classic house and techno tones shrouded in ice. Although don't make this mistake of thinking this is music aimed at nostalgic enthusiasts in advancing years either - Afterlife and Dust offer reverential contemporary tones of fluffy pads and distant kicks, while, at the other end of the spectrum, Decay offers the chewiest most dance floor geared moment and the elastic Until The Music Dies takes the place as the standout cut.
Sketches never outstays its welcome, the runtime is succinct and there isn't a bloating of tracklisting. You could argue that perhaps there is little to surprise here with Dee playing to his usual aural strengths. However you wouldn't offer objections to Kassem Mosse on Workshop 19, for example, elaborating on his antiqued house template, so the same is true of Aroy's masterful execution on this long player.
As a result, while operating in the spirit of purist house and techno as others wallow in roots indulgence and American pastiche, Aroy Dee has created an album that is evergreen. Sketches transcends seasons and genres, remaining modestly beautiful with understated confidence.
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