With shelves in record stores ever shrinking, and many online shops promoting their own distribution, it can be hard for smaller labels. Nevertheless, I saw some Other Heights releases on a recent trip to Dublin. This is label that is not just competing, it is challenging for space and recognition with some very interesting sounds.
With the deluge of House it can be easy for other genres and styles to be drowned out. On entering your local record store the sounds of Chicago are better represented than those of Detroit. True, Techno was the protagonist for years; but now it seems to have adopted a more supporting role. But, there are still artists and labels seeking to release quality Techno and push what can be done in that genre. One label making a valiant effort to keep Techno at the forefront of electronics is Other Heights. For some years the Belgian imprint has been sourcing new and interesting talent with the common goal of fresh and innovative Techno. But Other Heights does investigate other styles, Dub being prominent in their catalogue and House inevitably getting a look in.
It’s House we stop off with yet. But not Chicago revival or Jak, instead a much subtler incarnation. Herzel & Genoveva are a Macedonian duo. They have only just begun releasing, with a twelve out on Dubwax. For Other Heights the male/female twosome introduce No More Lies. The title track gets things underway. Dense Deep House is the product. Beats stumble with a staggered melody and breathy vocals. There’s aspects of Omar S or Jenifa Mayanja. Organic and slow. “The Mirror” follows and keeps the shimmering Dub sounds. There’s a mesmerising quality to the sound, the listener being slowly submerged into a brew of analogue sounds. The finale is a remix by Alveol (Mule Musiq) of the title track. The density of the original is maintained, with new dubby layers being added. The musical equivalent to a large slice of fruit cake.
Metropolis debuts with The Heartmachine EP, Nick Lapien’s recording name and EP title being a reference to Fritz Lang’s early cinematic masterpiece. “Ultrawelt” gets the pistons pumping. Lapien weaves heavy Dub chords through a solid beat. The sound of Danny Wolfers, aka Legowelt, is akin to Lapien’s. There’s a heavy analogue presence with some sunspot House sounds invading this multifaceted piece of Techno. The title track uses a 4/4 beat to tether the composition to the machine, but Lapien lets synths and sound spiral and reshape themselves around this central column. Complex and accomplished. “Battleship 707” gets rolling with the House snap of the Roland drum machine. The 707 dominates, tethering the track to a Chicago but the melodies coming from a Techno tradition. The finale, “The Thin Man,” closes the city gates with full bodied chords. A very accomplished debut from Metropolis.
With shelves in record stores ever shrinking, and many online shops promoting their own distribution, it can be hard for smaller labels. Nevertheless, I saw some Other Heights releases on a recent trip to Dublin. This is label that is not just competing, it is challenging for space and recognition with some very interesting sounds. Next time, be it skimming through the crate or listening to snippets, keep an eye out for the wee whale (I think it’s a whale) and “OH;” it could well introduce you to something new.
Both No More Lies and The Heart Machine are avaialable on Other Heights.
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