severence - releases

Kompakt:

Like all its previous releases, Bine Music's first compilation is more about quality than quantity, and yet it had to be released on double vinyl (and download). At the end of the day, new and upcoming artists like Severence (whose album we can't wait for now) should be accommodated just as much as those we have loved for years.

Düsseldorf artist Lars Leonhard, who's already well known among fellow techno freaks, makes his debut for Bine and starts off with the Twin Peaks-y but lovely grooving "Citylights", while Thomas Touzimsky, who's usually pulling strings behind the scenes, pleases us with a chirring beat "Insect". A remarkably straight Scanner track reminding us of the better side of trance is followed by the minimal house sounds of TOL (raster-noton). Move D's live recording back from the 90s paves the way for a warm, guitar chord driven ambient piece by New Zealand's Ben Swire. Along with Move D, Benjamin Brunn is one of the label's cornerstones and finds his place among Taylor Deupree aka Ando and Marconi Union (whose beautiful "Toyko" still rings in our ears). What unifies all of them is the idea of combining thoughts of both abstraction and emotion which also shows in the formidable artwork - the head starts sweating while the legs dissect the beats. Ladies and Gentlemen! Please fasten your seatbelts, we're floating into the outer space of your mind!

Bookmat:

One of Germany's finest purveyors of enhanced electronica, house and techno parade their wares for 2010. This fine compilation includes a higher calibre of deep minimalism from Scanner, Move D, Benjamin Brunn and Marconi Union among others, exploring the side of minimal that doesn't come with assymetric haircuts and tight troosers as standard.

Standout cuts come from Scanner on his craftily evolved 'Coming Into Focus', the moodily melodic Moss mix of Severence's 'Dark Heat', the submerged sequences of Move D's 'Skoda' and Marconi Union's sublimely spine-chilling 'Ancoats 111'. Fans of pristine deep end electronica should pay this some attention!

Smallfish:

So, the burning question on everybody's lips will be 'was it worth the wait?' I have to say that the answer is a resounding 'YES!' 7 tracks from Brendon Moeller, Relapxych, Quantec, Bvdub, Fatih Tuter, Severence and Martin Schulte that not even once sound anything other than totally gorgeous. I'm glad that Shoreless has gone down this more overtly ambient route for the second compilation - I think it's very becoming and certainly sits extremely happily within the virtual walls of Smallfish.

Brendon Moeller kicks things off with, quite frankly, exactly the kind of deep ambient track that I'd give my right arm to be able to produce. It references both house and techno in the style of the chords but leaves it drifting in a beatless way throughout. I have to say that it's pure quality through and through.

Relapxych delivers a magnificently majestic and beautifully meditative work that flanges and phases its way through 10 magic minutes of pure bliss.

Not to be outdone Quantec comes next with a simply luscious cut that's all about the atmosphere. One of the only beat orientated tracks on the album it nevertheless has such a pure sense of space and form that it sits perfectly with the others

No need for lengthy introductions when it comes to Bvdub - he's conjured up yet another awesome slice of ethereal, fluid and delicately emotional ambient bliss. Do I need to say any more? Didn't think so. Just brilliant.

Fatih Tuter drops next with the super-fine Drive. This is more of a Berlin-laced cut than the others with that slightly gritty sounding chord stab flavour that drives the background textures along. It almost threatens to dive into beats at times with its sub bass tone and hypnotic shaker percussion elements, but it always holds back - an object lesson in how to not overdo things. Class.

Severence comes next and with an outstanding contribution to the first Selected Moments it's perfectly fair to expect him to meet those standards here. He does. And then some. Stripping it back to the most reduced sound and allowing the filtering to create the movement, he's really delving into some serious depths. A wicked track and definitely one for fans of the old school Chain reaction sound (not that I'm comparing, you understand. Just a reference for you).

Finally, Martin Schulte finishes up the album. You may have enjoyed his release on Rednetic (I'll need some more of those, by the way) - I know I did. This takes his penchant for the deepest dub techno and strips it free of beats completely. Layers of sound and texture almost drown you with their aquatic feel which, I have to say, is a deeply pleasing feeling indeed.

So, there you have it. I don't often break whole albums down like this, but I feel it's important to tell you that it really is an exquisite piece of work. Comes in a metal tin and is limited to 110 copies by all accounts. That means I'm going to have to bug them to make some more I guess. Enjoy!

Interstellar Sounds:

It's amazing what you can find when you clear out the stock room! Serene, opulent ambience, as there is barely a beat in range on Selected Moments II, as the Shoreless roster steadily expands to include Fatih Tuter aka Dubatech, Relapxych, Martin Schulte and Brendon Moeller. Each track here is possibly best described as a little piece of modern art, whereby the listener will make of it what they will.

For my money, this is quite simply gorgeous stuff from all concerned, as truly each artist submits only their best work for this prestigious compilation. Quantec delivers what I think is his strongest track to date, as 'Resurface' purrs along ominously, somewhat darker and more mysterious than previous works, before a seemingly non-existent bass line springs to life, which is so, so deep, you need to play this one loud to allow the sound to totally engulf your headspace – check with intent. Bvdub’s track is very strong too, incredibly melancholy, yet somehow leaves you feeling quite uplifted in a strange, spiritual kind of way, after you completely understand the vibe here. Totally sublime, subquatic ambience from Relapxych, Moeller, Tuter and Severence wrap-up the long, long delayed release of this second Shoreless compilation. Has it been worth the wait? You bet it has! Brutally limited to 110 copies worldwide.

Clone:

Seven amazingly beautiful and dreamy tracks by Brendon Moeller, Relapxych.0, Quantec, Bvdub, Fatih Tuter, Severence and Martin Schulte. You know the deal with these Shoreless releases... Don't blink or they are all gone! Very limited quantities, packed in a metal case.

Smallfish:

Sometimes it's hard to be anything other than *extremely* excited when a quality release like this comes in. To say that it's been a vintage year for the deeper end of the techno scene is a massive understatement and it's mainly thanks to low-key, heartfelt releases such as this that it's so exciting at the moment. Sven Schienhammer's Shoreless label delivers the first CD in a series that promises to be nothing short of completely essential and it's packed full of the deepest, most beautifully realised sounds all the way through. Sven's motives for starting this label are honourable and it's really to provide a tangible, 'real' format for you to have, hold and love. And love it you will. Any release that kicks off with a Bvdub track, ends with a Quantec track, and features lovingly crafted cuts from Severence and Atheus in between is an instant winner.

Musically it's as lush and low-key as you'd expect... cascades of gentle chords and melody with an overarching theme of ambience and drifting beauty all combine to make an utterly compelling listen. There are beatless moments, subtle 4/4 rhythms and some wonderfully electronica-like elements and together they work like a dream. As ever with these low-key releases I'm incredibly proud to be able to even offer it to you in the first place. There are only 100 in existence and each is numbered... don't miss out because this, my friends, is the good stuff.