Vate is a composer and performer of Mexican electronic music. His two online albums offer stimulating electronica somewheres between dance and IDM. His music is usually midtempo, atmospheric, and addictive. Norteno rhythms and cultural samples are common, placing him in the sub-genre of Nortec which merges Norteno and techno into a unique style of expression.

Volk was released in 2005 and is a compilation of tracks from the last four years. The music is primarily computer generated with some sampling. “Fiesta” uses street sounds and dialoque interspersed with a pounding beat and droning electronic lines. “Diablo” also uses a good amount of latin rhythm among the techno affects. Most of the other tracks are more IDM, depending heavily on computer oriented sounds but still emitting a rare beauty.

060303 was recorded live in 2003 and then studio-edited. While much of Volk sound like a searching, 060303 comes forth as a fully formulated work. Norteno influences are much more evidenced in these tracks and the beat is geared more for partying. “Marimba” is a good example as it prances throught the speakers in a festive celebration. Each track flows into the next track as small sound environments are created and evolved. The energy is quite high on this session and stays there. My favorite tracks are a exotic heart-pounder titled “Kukita” and a very funny combo of manic electro-beats and over-stimulated adults called “Porno Pixels”. If 600303 is representative of the techno nightclub scene south of the border, it may be time to take a road trip!

060303 is available in MP3 or Ogg Vorbis. Volk is available in MP3, Ogg Vorbis, or Flac. Both albums can be downloaded as an album zip or by separate tracks. You can also download them and other Vate albums from Jamendo via bittorrent. And of course, if you enjoy the music support the artist and buy his CDs.

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060303
Volk