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Second release in the Delsin X-DSR series containing re-issues of personal favourites… MK’s The MKappella was originally a track on the b-side of the very original version of his huge Burning EP on the Area 10 label. The MKappella is some original innocent deep sunset house. Other side contains the adventurous ‘Lost’ by The 7th Plain aka Luke Slater, taken from his debut album ‘The 4 Cornered Room” way back from 1994, the high days of the UK Techno scene, with lot of hints towards the original Detroit sound.
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After launching in fine fashion with Luke Slater wielding his L.B. Dub Corp alias against textured cuts from ASC, the second instalment of Mote-Evolver’s Parallel Series presents more forward-thinking sets this time from Shifted and Finish vanguard Samuli Kemppi.
2011 witnessed an exciting renaissance for UK techno, Shifted being one of several British acts to ascend to prominence. His Mote021 Drained and Mote024 Control EP’s, introduced and cemented the Briton’s taut production capabilities, marked by hypnotic rhythms and a rich bassy pallet.Connected to his much anticipated debut album in April, Shifted’s tracks on the Parallel Series surge over a sunken heartbeat, but where searing hats steer “Gates” into an entrancing floor workout, “Spire” knits industrial resonances into a penetrating auralapocalypse.
This is Samuli Kemmpi’s third outing on Mote-Evolver, having released a couplet of stand-out 12″s—Dark Matter / Wormhole and Quantum Mechanics EP—back in 2010. “Trans Neptunian” matches a tough and punchy pulse to cheeky hat hisses, laden with urgent piano stabs to deliver a perpetual piece of techno, as anxious as it is infectious. “Detached Object” on the other hand is more progressive. Here a choppy, tumultuous melody gathers momentum over a deep and rolling sub before gentle crashes carry it into a bass-heavy descent.
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Samuli Kemppi – “Trans Neptunian”
Shifted – “Gates”
Video “Trans Neptunian” created by VJ Group Random Doctors. Video “Gates” created by the29nov films.
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Concluding what has proven to be a nothing short of an epic trilogy, Dynamic Reflection unveils the final instalment in Abstract Division’s “Form and Function” series. The crowning piece features one new Abstract Division track, “Deformation” and three remixes from Mike Parker, Norman Nodge and the secretive Area Forty One.
Diverting from its more introvert predecessors “Floating Point” and “Shifted Reality”, “Deformation” grips its audience by the throat from the get-go and doesn’t let go. Distorted, looped, developing punches force all other elements in the track to continuously fight for air, leaving just enough for them to add their distinctive, crucial sounds. The level of aggressiveness “Deformation” manages to communicate is astonishing and the fact that in spite of this the whole still fits together perfectly exemplifies the craftsmanship of Abstract Division. This one hurts, but it hurts so damn well.
The first person on remix duty is English bass-guru Mike Parker. In his trademark “ringing bass” fashion Parker dips “Deformation” in layer upon layer of dubby goodness without diminishing any of the original’s drive. Hypnotizing and mesmerizing are perhaps the best words to describe this true marble of a remix. One of those tracks that will stand out no matter what the time or the place, making it a valuable addition to any DJ’s record bag.
Lawyer-by-day and techno-don by night Norman Nodge shares his vision on “Deformation” and fills in the first remix spot on the flipside. Vicious hats and throbbing deep kicks greet the listener as Nodge slowly opens the valve containing all of the grit, anger and raw funk he has to offer. Slowly but inevitably the beast is freed from the confines of its cage and once out there is little left to do but dance until one’s feet are sore and praying you’re still here when it’s all over…
Last, but by no means least is Area Forty One’s take on “Deformation”. Having progressed through the EP in normal order this version feels and sounds like an ocean of rewarding calm. Far-away, eerie and strangely soothing filtered synths alleviate the mind to a state of complete lucidity. Halfway through the equilibrium is broken for a few seconds and it’s almost as if the original track’s rage manages to surface for a few seconds but is then quickly washed away. Area Forty One delivers an absolutely stunning treasure the likes of which only pop up every once in a while.
Abstract Division completes its “Form and Function” series on Dynamic Reflection with a final EP that accepts the challenge, raises the already high bar set and passes with flying colours. Without letting Part I and II down, I dare say the label has indeed saved the very best for last. You cannot let this one slip!
