Ray Valioso is a new project by Swiss producer Agnès. ‘Einladung EP’, the debut Ray Valioso release, sees Agnès shifting away from his usual deep, minimal techno territory to explore more house-influenced rhythms and textures. ‘Einladung EP’ features three varied pieces: ‘Get The Strings?’ builds with loose, stuttering, metallic percussion playing over a locked bass/organ pulse before opening out into a beautifully detailed mix of chords, high strings and clipped vocal parts. ‘Keep It’ is a minimal percussion-based track of clicky kick drums and shuffling out-of-time hi-hats. ‘Rhodes Island’ rides on a warm, repetitive chord sequence that refers back to the classic Basic Channel/Chain Reaction template. Agnès runs the Geneva-based label Sthlmaudio Recordings. Launched in 2003, Sthlmaudio has released tracks by Agnès, Puma, Octex, Apoll, Cabanne, Croatian producers Luka & Lazo and UK duo Tom Demac & Duckett. Agnès also has a well received EP on Cabanne’s Minibar label (’Treat Me Bad’) and a new release on Plak Records. He has recently started a new label, 60Sec, in collaboration with French producer and fellow Geneva resident Lee Van Dowski (Num Records, Cadenza, Plak, Mental Groove, Soma, BPitch Control).

De:Bug (GER): “rating: *****”

Giles Smith (secretsundaze UK): “HEY THISSOUNDS GREAT. TOTALLY UP MY STREET”

Groove Magazin (GER): “Ray Valioso ist der Schweizer Produzent Agnès, betreiber des Labels Sthlmaudio Recordings. Und normalerweise kennt man ihn für Minimal Techno. Auf dieser EP ist er aber recht housig unterwegs und das macht er gut. „Keep It" ist ein recht reduzierter Stomper mit verhaltenen Dub-Effekten und deepem Groove. „Rhodes Island" reißt mit seinem tiefen Bassgroove die Beine mit, bevor warme Sounds auch die obere Körperhälfte inklusive Kopf packen. „Get the Strings?" legt es mit Break und Strings drauf an, die Hände ganz weit oben zu haben. Das funktioniert.”

Jan Krueger (Hello? Repeat): “Can't believe the new Ray Valioso aka Agnès record on Real Soon... pfffff, a pure bomb!!! I just love it !!”