The 2LP draws on the past while delivering a considered statement on the present. This is deep and engrossing music, tracks that have been given time to grow and mature under the ear of a pioneer of machine music.
A pivotal figure in electronics
You would have to go back to 2011 to find Stefan Robbers’ last album under his Terrace moniker; Face Infinity came out on EevoNext as a digital release. To put this in the context of time, most people reading this would not have had a smartphone then (I didn’t.) Bringing Terrace back and returning the dutchman to vinyl, the nice people at De:tuned have the ten tracks of Branches hitting record store shelves right now.
A pivotal figure in electronics for more than thirty years, through his Eevo Lute imprint, he forged relationships with likeminded musicians from the UK and the US while producing his own intelligent techno musings under pseudonyms like Florence, Sierra Romeo and, of course, Terrace. His contributions to machine music have not gone unnoticed. Delsin have reissued a range of Eevo Lute releases in the past five years with De:tuned putting out the fantastic Phosphenes in 2017.
Branches has the Eindhoven resident call upon a spread of influences. The opener, “Grosse Pointe,” is rooted in the traditions of Detroit, subtle shifts and an uncluttered palette. Elements of the motor city remain in “Undertones.” Despite this, the track is anchored in the sci-fi sounds of Britain’s IDM movement as crystalline chords rise above crisp percussion. In many respects, Robbers is visiting past and present inspirations. “House Call” adopts a meandering deep groove while adhering to the canon of techno. “Frenetic” is anything but its namesake. There is no busyness here, no unnecessary adornment. Instead, a refined and restrained choice is made to produce an absorbing and immersive journey.
Rhythms are layered above unctuous undulations ::
Track lengths are generous. None more so than “That Mighty Feeling.” Just shy of ten minutes, rhythms are layered above unctuous undulations with melodies ebbing and flowing in gentle tides. Nothing is rushed on the album, space is given for ideas to fully form and avenues to be explored. This allows the listener to be guided to unexpected plains, as in the sonorous balance found in “Aspects of Life” or the interwoven textures of “Toxica.” Drum programming is intricate across the LP. Hi-hats, kicks and snares folding together to form fertile bedrock from which organic melodies unfurl. This is certainly the case in the understated grooves of “CeCe’s Dance” with classic techno tones being adopted. From its intense introduction, “Monstrumi” mellows to a slowburning finale. Chords echo to a receding distance, skittering beats supporting subtle piano lines to close.
Respect is paid to the sounds of Detroit across Branches. However, this isn’t a simple homage to the electronic music of the 1990s. Robbers has continued the project, a project in which he was a fundamental European partner. The 2LP draws on the past while delivering a considered statement on the present. This is deep and engrossing music, tracks that have been given time to grow and mature under the ear of a pioneer of machine music.
Branches is available on De:tuned. [Bandcamp]
