Thursday, May 22, 2008
I Call It Dubtec.
The amalgamation of two genres and two sounds, both with very different origins has started to materialise. The Berlin Dub Techno scene has been around for over 15 years now, with the godfathers of the metallic Techno sound, Basic Channel, (Pictured) having influenced everyone in the electronic scene since their inception in 1993. Since then they have created era defining Techno, dubbed out House and Electronic Reggae all with the metallic shards of sound that became their signature and which has been imitated by so many.Dubstep has its origins in a very different place. Out of the UK Garage/2 Step scene in the late Nineties emerged two separate genres. Grime, with its influences from Hip Hop and its utilisation of the MC as the main focus for the music and Dubstep, with its influences coming from Drum 'n' Bass and Dub Reggae. The commercial strains of 2 Step have been totally bred out from Dubstep's genetic structure, this has led to innovation and exploration of Bass and rhythm that now shares Techno's passion for innovation and pushing boundaries of sonic exploration.
Recently however a divide in the genre has become more evident. like Drum 'n' Bass a decade ago, Dubstep is becoming fractured between the heavy sounds and punishing bass for the dancefloor and the deeper strains which which are starting to be influenced by the Techno scene. One could argue that it all started with Ricardo Villalobos' remix of 'Blood On My Hands' by Shackleton, a tune which was already heading into deeper sonic territory than previous Dubstep offerings.
There are a new crop of artists emerging that are taking the Dub Techno influences to produce music that now seems a logical merger between the two sounds. Artists from the Bristol scene including Shackleton himself, Skull Disko co-founder Appleblim, and artists Peverelist and (dutch producer) 2562, both on Pinch's Tectonic label are merging Techno influences to create a new hybrid of Dubstep. I like to call it Dubtec.
Shackleton and Appleblim have always cited Basic Channel as a big influence and now what with Shackleton moving to Berlin and Appleblim being shown the 'secrets' to the Basic Channel sound from the Hardwax crew, and remixes by both camps now doing the rounds, this amalgamation of sound is set for a very interesting future.
Check the following releases to hear what I'm talking about.
Shackleton and Appleblim have always cited Basic Channel as a big influence and now what with Shackleton moving to Berlin and Appleblim being shown the 'secrets' to the Basic Channel sound from the Hardwax crew, and remixes by both camps now doing the rounds, this amalgamation of sound is set for a very interesting future.
Check the following releases to hear what I'm talking about.
Appleblim and Peverelist - Circling // Skull Disko 008
2562 - Channel Two // Tectonic
Peverelist - Junktion // Tectonic
Appleblim has just mixed Vol 6 of Dubstep Allstars. Buy.
The new album 'Aerial' by 2562 is released on Tectonic on June 2nd. Buy. Check out the review at FACT
Buy Peverelist and listen to his remix of Pole here.
Labels: 2562, Appleblim, Basic Channel, Dubstep, Skull Disco, Techno, Tectonic
Thursday, May 03, 2007
The Worm Has Turned
There's been a lot of talk in recent months about techno and dubstep getting ever closer and Villalobos' remix of Shackleton's Blood on my Hands has been one of the most hyped records of the year.It finally got released this week and weighs in at 18 minutes of extremely dark minimalism.
It's out on the prolific Skull Disco label who have had a number of critically acclaimed releases which have now been collated onto a double pack CD also out this week.
Shackleton - Blood on my Hands (Villalobos Apocalypso mix) // Skull Disco
You can buy Skull Disco releases here.
Sleeparchive is another of the techno heavyweights to have dabbled in this genre, co-producing the excellent LAC / Russia 12" on Stamp Release earlier this year. Check the speaker-shaking results below and pick up a copy here.
Stamp Release - Russia // Stamp Release
Labels: Dubstep, Electronic, Minimal, Ricardo Villalobos, Shackleton, Skull Disco, Techno
