Giving praise to some of the giants of electronic music, De:Tuned is once again hitting the shelves of respectable record stores. This third EP of ten gathers four musicians who have been active since the first rumblings of techno, a quartet with more than one hundred years’ experience between them. 10.3 revives the golden age of techno, it also reinvigorates it with modern productions as it demonstrates that, perhaps, this timeless age of music never ended, it was merely paused to be rediscovered.
Giving praise to some of the giants of electronic music, De:Tuned is once again hitting the shelves of respectable record stores. This third EP of ten gathers four musicians who have been active since the first rumblings of techno, a quartet with more than one hundred years’ experience between them.
Introducing this latest 12” are two modern cuts. First up is a true sonic sculptor. Michigan’s John Beltran has been active twenty-five years, shaping his sound on seminal labels like Peacefrog, R&S and Delsin. “Juliette” is the sweetened offering from this seasoned Detroiter, and, in spite of his home town heritage and this being a contemporary creation, the influences come straight from the UK. Bulging basslines are tethered to skittering drum patterns, a foundation from which silken strings soar in a cheerful interlude that immediately brings to mind early musings from The Black Dog. Since 1986 Mark Archer has been corrupting minds and filling floors. Under a dizzying number of pseudonyms Archer roasted speakers with rave anthems, most famously as part of the dust mask clad Altern 8. Archer’s “Depth From Within” is a far cry from those glow stick days with the pioneer instead opting for the path laid by Beltran. While beats have been bolstered with a steady kick and fuller claps, those same dreaming synthlines are just as central. The flip is turns the clock back with a prolific producer: Future Beat Alliance. Rich tones and meandering melodies characterise “Reflected Notes,” a piece made in the early 90s. Flowing keys slip and slide over one another, rising and falling against a rhythmic patchwork in a beautifully subtle work. Arguably the least known name of this compilation, Erwin Van Moll has been active since 1992 with the dutchman having graced seminal imprints like Eevo Lute Muzique and New Electronica under his max 404 pseudonym. “Butterflying” is taken from Van Moll’s earliest productions around ‘92, having been rediscovered on DAT tapes. The veteran of the European scene delivers a smooth and soulful piece with all the trappings of classic techno. Liquid notes squirm and squeal under warm bass and echoing toms, shimmering keys giving texture to the backdrop of this absorbing closer.
De:Tuned’s ten year journey takes a new path with this latest. The depth of expression and intimacy of 10.3 is founded in the emotive machine music of the 1990s. Through four masters who lived through those formative days, fours trailblazers who continue to dive into the circuit boards to uncover new music, this compilation illustrates the essence of that sound. Through lost tracks, 10.3 revives the golden age of techno, it also reinvigorates it with modern productions as it demonstrates that, perhaps, this timeless age of music never ended, it was merely paused to be rediscovered.
DE:10.03 is available on De:tuned.
