Frits Wentink - Two Bar House Music & Chord Stuff Vol. 3

September 14, 2018 - WOLF Music

Steve Mensink a.k.a. Frits Wentink has delivered the final installment to his Two Bar House Music & Chord Stuff project, a project that has graced listeners’ ears with wonderful house music and listeners' eyes with titles such as ‘Theme 1,’ ‘Theme 5,’ and ‘Theme 8.’ Nary one to break uniformity, Wentink rounds off the collection with Themes 9-12, four perfectly baked little music cakes right out the oven. These tracks are warm and inviting. They do not offer much to be unpacked or analyzed, nor do they attempt anything beyond their titular scope. Still, there is an elevated sense amongst the quartet; these tracks are special.

‘Theme 9’ bursts into the party dripping with charisma and carrying a 6-pack of UKG cold ones. The track is upfront and self-evident, layering layers of layered synth riffs, buttery bass, and precise percussion. Dreamy arpeggios play ping-pong with a chopped vocal bite adding a bit of depth to the tight production. ‘Theme 10’ follows suit albeit in a more subdued style. The track has a cozy, analogue atmosphere that feels very intimate and comfortable. At times ‘Theme 10’ takes on the beginning of an homage sensibility, but the reference remains clouded over in a haze of false nostalgia too vague to be tied down to one idea. 

‘Theme 11’ throws the curtains of the party open to show a world of melting house bass lines drizzled on by techno rain from little techno clouds. The track chugs along mechanically and in fairly linear fashion. It’s a funked out umami filling sandwiched between two cuts of stone cold beats. ‘Theme 12’ picks the energy up to round out the project. Wentink turns up the charming quirk factor but keeps the groove going professionally and efficiently. 

‘Theme 12,’ not dissimilar to themes 1-11 displays Wentink’s control over the medium; the tracks are balanced with just the right amount of precision and playfulness. Two Bar House Music & Chord Stuff Vol. 3 lives up to its title as a project. Its tracks are simple, effective, unassuming, and hold just a hint of reminiscence. As someone else once said before, “there is an elevated sense amongst the quartet; these tracks are special.”  🍍