TuneLab
MAGNIFIED artist JUSTIN CUDMORE in The Lab NYC
We arrive for Justin Cudmore's Magnified artist session in The Lab NYC expecting the curated cool of modern minimal, and we are not disappointed. This is for the heads who appreciate a groove that unfolds with geological patience. The vibe is basement-intimate, all moody lighting and focused head-nods, a world away from main-stage hysteria. Technically, this is a deep dive into percussive, acid-tinged minimal techno, averaging a nimble 126.6 BPM and firmly rooted in the hypnotic 12A key.
The energy balance is masterfully restrained: 67% low-end thrum provides the foundational pulse, 24% mid-range gives space for intricate drum programming and those squelching 303 lines, with just 9% high-end for atmospheric texture. Cudmore's mixing is seamless and linear, using key shifts like the occasional 3B to add emotional color without breaking the spell. The set builds like a slow sunrise, all gradual intensity and layered complexity. The crate digging here is exceptional: opening with the raw, jacking pressure of 'Marcus Mixx - Without Makeup (Ron Hardy Mix)' is a statement of intent.
'Matt K - Acidroll' is a pure, unadulterated acid workout, while the inclusion of 'Satoshi Tomiie - Bassline' is a brilliant, timeless deep house curveball. The playful yet effective 'David Guetta, Anne-Marie & Coi Leray - Baby Don't Hurt Me (Sofi Tukker Remix)' shows a willingness to warp pop into the groove, and 'Robin S. - Show Me Love' gets a respectful, heads-down recontextualization. The journey begins in the raw Chicago past, meanders through contemporary acid labs, and closes on the atmospheric, beatless drift of 'Idealist - Quechua', a perfect comedown for a set that valued journey over instant gratification.