Number seven is split down the middle. Two tracks from the archives, and two modern tracks. Telling which is which is no easy feat. Each of the quartet is steeped in the future gazing traditions of quality electronic music, each resonates with a creativity that ignited those first techno musings near three decades ago.
Refreshed after the Summer, De:Tuned return with number seven of their ten part birthday celebration. To date some of the greats of past, present and future electronic music have featured in the series. This latest brings together four artists who might not be household names but who, nevertheless, were pioneering in the 1990s and beyond.
Jonah Sharp, aka Spacetime Continuum, is a musician who, in terms of electronics, seemed to have “made it” almost immediately. In 1991 when the scene was in its infancy the UK musician was signed to Astralwerks, one of the bigger labels of the day with its association to Universal. His dreamy ambient techno style was immersive and beautifully crafted and his back catalogue is a must for any IDM addicts out there. His contribution to 10.07, “Only One Sky” is a work of hi-tech jazz. An unstable melody trills and warbles on sidestepping snares in this captivating work. Scanner, perhaps one of the most productive sound scultora in the sphere of electronics, follows. Known for his idiosyncratic audio collages and introspections, “Mothlit” is quite a different animal. Steady rhythms support echoing key, sample rinses ghosting overhead into the night sky as the veteran composer opens his creation into a broad and brilliant orchestral feast. Ross 154, aka Newworldaquarium, has a strangely steady discography with generally one release every year or two. Nonetheless, the quality of his productions is beyond question with “Earth To Our Friends” being no exception. Elegant ambient, the track blurs lost drums with haunting strings and otherworldly tones for a truly absorbing experience. The last work on offer comes from Italy’s trailblazing Leo Anibaldi. An artist who, over his career spanning more than three decades, has turned his hand to near every style of machine music offers a wonderfully delicate finale. Complex rhythms are tamed by a gentle undulating melody with Anibaldi playfully combining tinker toy themes with primal elements.
Number seven is split down the middle. Two tracks from the archives, and two modern tracks. Telling which is which is no easy feat. Each of the quartet is steeped in the future gazing traditions of quality electronic music, each resonates with a creativity that ignited those first techno musings near three decades ago. Thankfully trying to figure it out will mean many happy listens. Then again, why trouble yourself with such trivial details as dates and time when there is this calibre of music to enjoy?
10.07 is available on De:tuned.
