Rather than pander to the “dub” crowd, this EP takes what has become quite a saturated genre and elevates it with ambient subtlety and a gentleness of spirit.
Matthias Falkenstein (aka Matthias Springer) is one of the most prolific artists that I’ve never come across. For more than a decade, and under a spread of monikers, Falkenstein has released a range of material across the Electronic spectrum. In 2010 the German artist co-founded Diametral, a platform for musicians with an ear for techno, electro and experimental electronics. To date the Munich man has had a digital focus with a smattering of vinyl. He returns to wax for Arne Weinberg’s diametric. music under Aksutique for Notch Fields.
A warm bowl of dub welcomes the listener. “Notch Fields” is a flowing track, gentle beats mixed into Ambient undercurrents for a deep and soulful opener. The atmospherics continue into the moody “Echolot.” Clicks and gentle movements swirl and bulge in a dark and thought-filled piece. It is introspection that characterizes the EP, a lonesome solitude coupled with an organic development that lifts the listener. Analogue mists merge with dense digital fogs, early morning moments paralleled by twilight uncertainties. Subtle samples are adopted for “Treasures,” a warming work of techno that sinks the listener into a sonorous dream world. Weinberg closes under his Valanx alias to turn a modular synthesizer hand to “Treasures.” Memories of the original are whispered between darker ambient bodies.
diametric. is a label without compromise. Arne Weinberg is a man with a frightening clarity of vision, to release quality electronics. Now most imprints set this out as their goal, but few achieve it with the sincerity of the Glasgow dweller. Notch Fields is emblematic of the diametric. stance. Rather than pander to the “dub” crowd, this EP takes what has become quite a saturated genre and elevates it with ambient subtlety and a gentleness of spirit. Machine warmth and sonic sunshowers replace what the “market” has claimed the sound of dub techno to be. Uplifting and inspiring sounds that I plan to return to time and time again.
Notch Fields is available on diametric..
