2. music
  3. 1343741919

DeepChord presents Echospace

This week they released Silent World (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) in many forms...vinyl, digital and CD, all being a bit different. I've been listening to the 71 minute mixed version and the digital unmixed version for near 2 days straight. This is epic, a truly special composition that pulses, breaths and possess it's own soul. A captivating soundtrack to a movie that does not exist...or does it?

DeepChord/Echospace are Rod Modell and Stephan Hitchell and whatever the moniker they release under (Variant, Soultek, Intrusion, cv313 etc...) if you are a fan of dub techno you know them from the first note. For 10+ years they have taken on what Basic Channel and the like established and defined the Detroit sound. Using mostly analog instruments, vintage gear and tape they have crafted a catalog of classic material that culminated with 2007's Modern Love release "The Coldest Season", a masterpiece of deep, hypnotic waves that resides firmly on my best of all time list. These are special artists of our day.

This new record raises the bar even higher. Very different than The Coldest Season, an evolution into deeper groove, warmer and more alive. It grows roots from the hazy, ambient intro In Echospace and builds to the throbbing, tribal BNC Dub and Hydrodynamics, my 2 favorite tracks at the moment. This record is a journey, it has pace, movement and control. It's patient and it captivates. It's composition that has a soul.

As usual, I know this genre is not for all here in the Agon music forum. I also am sure there are some members that do enjoy it as much as I and others that are interested in exploring some of what is being done outside of their typical travels. It's an album that moves me and one of the better releases I havee heard in quite some time.
richard_stacy
richard_stacy OP
686 posts
 
Simorgh....a couple of other thoughts:

On the subject of Monolake, his latest release (Ghosts) is available through Linn Records in 24/96. It's a serious play for a nice rig. It's not my favorite Monolake release, it's less rhythmic leaning more towards electro but still a fine record and the 24/96 version is so impressive to listen to.

Sandwell District - A now defunct label which has a catalog of fantastic records. Artists like Silent Servant, Female, Function, Rrose, Regis (anything from Regis, recommended) etc. Anything out there from Silent Servant would be a recommendation, a nice starting point is his "Negative Fascinations" EP. Some of this gets into the harder techno, not sure what your cut off is.

Cio D'or - Her last EP on Telrae, Ur-Uhr, is a beautiful piece of minimal, dub techno as are most of her records. In fact, I am going to play this now.....!
simorgh
9 posts
 
Hey Richard,
Thanks for the great list...I'm still working my way through the Echospace catalog, but I plan to give all your suggestions a listen (I like to take my time when consuming music). Quick thoughts:

Liumin = stellar...very warm and full of momentum. I like that he chose to go in a different direction rather than simply making another version of The Coldest Season. Very fresh.
Hash Bar Loops = moody submarine exploration of the low-end...perfect for late night listening.
Vantage Isle Sessions = I can't believe this is actually 12 versions of the same song!
Setting Sun = I like the atmospheric pensiveness of the album...A Silent Storm is the real standout track in my view. That said, the album feels a bit unfocused at times, and the title track sounds like a musical dead-end to my ear. A good album, but I need to be in the right mood/mindset to listen to it from start to finish.

Looking forward to getting my hands on Sommer once it is released. Then I'll continue to move down your list;)
richard_stacy OP
686 posts
 
Simorgh - Love your comments! You really captured those albums in your short comments! We hear them the same way. Have you listened to Sommer yet? I am anxiously awaiting the release of Summer Night Versions for digital download. I think the vinyl is out but I have not had the opportunity to hear it yet.

In the bigger picture, it surprises me that more audiophiles are not fans of these guys. It's amazing music but it also really speaks on a great rig.

I need to think of some more recommendations for you although if you planning to explore all of the Echospace stuff it's a lengthy project between CV313, Soultek, Intrusion, Deepchord, Variant etc. I typed "Rod Modell" in JRiver search box and 50 releases came up! I didn't even realize I had that many! I think there are still 1 or 2 I'm missing :)
richard_stacy OP
686 posts
 
Simorgh - Another thought...I probably should have suggested
these even before the Echospace stuff, this is the root of
what they are about and most of what today's dub techno is.
Basic Channel ... there are many folks that use them to
define the whole genre, ie they don't call it dub techno,
they call the genre Basic Channel. Mark Emestus and Moritz
von Oswald aka Basic Channel/Rythm & Sound/Maurizio. This is
where it pretty much grew from and their work is stellar.
I'd say if there is one knock on Echospace it's that they
did totally rip from these guys but that is sort of how
music evolves anyway, right? I'll list what I think are
absolute must have's:

Rythm & Sound [Rythm & Sound][RSD-1] - They have a slew of
12"s, this compilation is pretty much 02-06 in the
series. Essential. I think they are starting to release all
of the 12"s digitally on Boomkat.com too but this
compilation is a great place to grab a chunk. If you're up
to it, you'd be better off getting the 12's (vinyl or web)
as they are edited versions on the compilations. The R&S
12's are probably the most essential dub techno I could
think of. They do lean much more to their reggae roots but
this is a good thing:)You'll find that they have several
releases collaborating with reggae/dance hall artists.

Rythm & Sound - The Versions [Burial Mix][BMD-3] Again,
essential.

Maurizio - Maurizio [Maurizio][MCD] - This is another
compilation of 12" released on CD...and essential.

I put the label and catalog info, these releases get
confusing. Have at it with those! I think you will enjoy,
possibly even more than the Echospace stuff.
synthfreek's avatar
synthfreek
627 posts
 
A few essential releases that haven't been mentioned...
Yagya - Will I Dream During The Process?
Yagya - Rigning
Yagya - Rhythm Of Snow
Porter Ricks - Biokinetics

Here's a mix of great ambient dub techno tracks I uploaded to 8tracks.com if anyone cares to see what this stuff is all about.

http://8tracks.com/synthfreek/synthfreek-s-ambient-dub-techno-mix
More to discover