* En anglais uniquement
Under the name
Matrixxman, DJ/producer
Charles McCloud Duff creates stripped-down analog acid house and techno, using the term "Resurgent Techno Atavism" to describe his work. Originally from Arlington, Virginia,
Duff moved to San Francisco and became involved with electronic music and hip-hop, forming production duos Amen Brother (with frequent collaborator
Vin Sol) and 5kinAndBone5 (with Paavo Steinkamp aka Earthman). 5kinAndBone5 became best known for their hip-hop productions, particularly their work on
Le1f's 2012 hit "Wut," but they became bored with hip-hop and began releasing house tracks on Soo Wavey Records (which
Duff co-founded with
Vin Sol) and U.K. label Unknown to the Unknown.
Duff started using the name
Matrixxman in 2012, and began releasing 12"s (by himself and in collaboration with
Vin Sol and
Nick Hook) in 2013, two of which (Dirty Laundry and I Can Feel It) seem to be directly inspired by
Larry Heard's classic mid-'80s acid house tracks as
Mr. Fingers (namely "Washing Machine" and "Can You Feel It").
In 2014, numerous
Matrixxman EPs saw release on labels including Dekmantel (
Nubian Metropolis), Delft (808 State of Mind and a split with La-4a), and Spectral Sound (
Amulet), as his tracks appeared in sets by DJs ranging from
Levon Vincent and
Huerco S. to veterans such as
Jeff Mills and
Richie Hawtin. In 2015,
Vin Sol and
Matrixxman's Daddy Issues EP appeared on Icee Hot, and Spectral Sound released
Matrixxman's
StuxNet EP, which featured remixes by
Hieroglyphic Being and
Silent Servant. Spectral Sound's sister label Ghostly International released
Matrixxman's 2015 full-length debut,
Homesick, which continued to refine his minimal acid house style, but also included a few ambient pieces and reflected his obsession with sci-fi and technology. Following the album,
Matrixxman released numerous singles on labels such as Dekmantel, Figure, and Kraftek, in addition to remixing singles by
Depeche Mode,
Simian Mobile Disco, and
Len Faki. ~ Paul Simpson