Echospace

With alot of influences coming from dub in todays electronic music I had to get a mention of these boys on here. Aswell as rhythm and sound, maybe more so, Rod Modell & Stephen Hitchells label echospace was a massive influence for me into deep, atmospheric, dubby music. Every release being a new deeply engrossing dub variation that is some of the most ear pleasing masterpieces I have ever come across!!

 ¨..a sublime configuration of airy, reflective chords and a heaving bassline cushioned by all the space you could imagine¨







I have to mention though, with all the.. not hype.. but increasing attention on the dubby side of techno and electronic music in general, I worry that the whole thing is going to tire itself out and crash. The increasing popularity of dubstep, along with alot of the watered down, more accessable, versions of dubtechno being released, I am worried this will soon have a backlash effect and this sound will be known as the clichéd 2009/2010 sound! Which would be a massive shame because I feel music as subtle and delecate as this should always remain its rightful place within the scene.. in the deep underground, only to be pulled out of the record box now and again for very them rare intimate partys.

If something becomes more and more popular, inevitably people will tire of it and crave an opposite sound to excite them. But as it always has done, musical trends will continue to go round and round in cycles and I find hope in the fact that, through all these trends, the most creatively produced tracks will always hold their own the longest period of time and the absolute best will remain as timeless.. continuing to touch people just as deep in years to come..

Recommended Label - Raster-Noton

"Raster-Notion is a platform — a network covering the overlapping border areas of pop, art and science. emerged from the fusion of the two labels rastermusic and noton (in 1999) they realize music projects, publications and installation works. The common idea behind all releases is an experimental approach — an amalgamation of sound, art and design."

(headphones on...)

I came across Raster-Notion through the artist Alva Noto. It was my first experience of music that can capture the same intense, heady emotions as techno and other rhythmical electronic music solely through use of ambient soundscapes and drones. Some of Alva Noto's ambient music in soo bass heavy and textured it really takes your breathe away and fills the club to such an extent that you have forgot there isnt even a beat. Hitting all the right emotions that keep you locked in! Alva Noto's music is so grounded it comes up from the floor and engulfs everybody on the floor!

As with alot of other ambient and other experimental music Ive always thought alot of it lacks a strong relationship between itself and the listener/crowd. For me, if something is too experimental and is off 'doing its own thing' then it is only experimenting with sounds and not with emotions. Obviously there is a need for this music, alot of new genres are created from ideas first put into this category. But my main interest is in the music where the experimenting crosses over with the people. When those ideas can be translated and understood to the point where the people can be guided into this new world. For me this is where the life-changing magic happens!!

Coming out of the clubs though, anybody looking for colourful, creatively diverse electronica, Rasta-Noton is definitely a label to have a dig through..
Heres the Link to their website which has samples of all their releases and up to date information on up coming events..

I'll end this on one of alto noto's biggest tracks from back in 2007.. enjoy!