David Douglas makes what he calls "electronic music for the mind" inspired by "the greatness of nature". This explains the cover image of David Casper Friedrich's epic painting 'Wanderer Above The Sea Of Fog'.
The Dutch producer's horticultural link is to his 18th century Scottish namesake who explored North America collecting hitherto unknown seeds of plants and trees.
His eight track, twenty four minute debut EP shows the strong influence of dubstep particularly on Dreams and Follow The Sun which both use soulful female voice samples and bass-heavy beats.
The opening track, Californian Poppy, is the most interesting and original piece though; full of deliberately skewed imperfections which give the digital beats a warmer analog character.
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Athabasca Pass runs this a close with insistent beats and a few woozy brass effects.
Douglas Firs is more standard synthy electronica while Mauna Kea suggests some neat Arabesque textures. A couple of one minute interludes complete the journey.
To call this record a grower would be a pun too far; suffice to say that, while it won't necessarily prompt an urge to commune with nature, it does have enough substance to sow the seeds of success.
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