Mr Cloudy - Different Lives

Yet another excellent album on Shoreless. This time it's Mr. Cloudy bringin' all the good stuff! Nine full lenght tracks that range from subtle and dubby techno takes to dreamy ambient soundscapes.Packed in a nice metal box.

FATIH TUTER - "WIDE & SHALLOW"    shoreless 00.6

This is something I’ve been looking forward to for a while. I’ve always enjoyed hearing Fatih’s tracks as Dubatech as he’s nailed that drifting, fluid techno sound that sits somewhere between Berlin and Detroit but avoids being exactly like either. For his debut full length work he’s concocted a series of lovely, beautiful structured and deeply hypnotic works that are just him all over. Attention to detail in the sound design is oh so present and correct and there’s a real sense of space and form through that allows the grooves to come to life… and there are *plenty* of grooves to enjoy here. Subtle 4/4 beats are the backbone of most of the tracks here and, you know what? That suits me down to the ground. As he couples those beats with splendid chord patterns, gorgeous stabs and little touches of pure melody it all comes together quite beautifully. It’s a slight shift away from dub techno and my gut instinct tells me that’s why he’s chosen his own name for this release (likewise with the beatless track on Selected Moments II) and I personally believe that it’s an extremely good move. Another album of pure quality from Shoreless, then and a release to savour as quick as you can because, yup, it’s limited. Brilliant stuff.

Fatih Tuter aka Dubatech debuts for Shoreless, following on from his terific EP on his own Baum Records. I have really been looking forward to this release and it really does live up to expectations. Dreamy, soundscape moods throughout, elevate your mind for an enjoyable ride.

JOERG MUELLER - "MJIU EP" shoreless 00.5

A lovely surprise here from Shoreless. I don’t think I’ve heard much of Joerg’s music in the past so I was intrigued to hear what this release sounded like. I’m happy to say that I’m feeling it in a big way and have been since originally hearing it. What I like about it is the blend of overtly electronica based tracks with a liberal sprinkling of low-down dubbed out vibes. It really comes with its own sound from the very beginning with a half speed rhythm and some lovely melodic flourishes that set of the track to a tee. From there it goes far and wide in search of depth and beauty mixing it up with a couple of more 4/4-orientated moments that you could loosely label as being influenced by Berlin, yet, again it keeps it’s own sound and on the third track in particular there’s a really house vibe to the chords and beats that really keep it rolling. Then we move into more low-key grooves with tight production, lush chords and a beat that sounds like an aquatic, less dancefloor version of Marcel Dettmann – minimal, yet not minimal, if you see what I mean. The finale strips it back to just the sounds with layers of static and hiss with a chord that ebbs and flows whilst being joined by a small organ stabs – it has that dubby flavour, but never too overtly. Essentially this is a cracking release that’s full of Joerg’s own style. It’s mellow, for the most part, yet never strictly ambient and has the kind of feeling that I ache for. Superb sounds for you here once again and another 100% definite recommendation.

Earthy, dubby, dreamy, layered techno form new Shoreless signing, "joergmueller". Typically lovely stuff from the Shoreless camp.

Quantec - uprise/explore / shoreless 00.4,5


 It's good to see yet another label delving into the world of the 3" CDr as in my opinion it's a wonderful format. It has just the right amount of space on it to deliver a real hit - be it ambient, groovy or otherwise. What's really cool about this release is finally getting Sven doing some pure ambient music. Bear in mind that he's a bit of a master of the chord and textural groove, then imagine stripping out the beats and you're getting there. To be fair though the first track, Uprise, is altogether more epic and drone-driven than you might be expecting and it works out so, so well. A moody texture that hits you right it needs to to make an impact is what this is all about andI have to say that there's some real menace in there. But, importantly, it's also beautiful and that's what makes it so fine - this delicate balance between dark and light that never seems to resolve itself throughout the piece. A beautiful work of ambient art. Explore follows and, in some ways, is even more surprising. It uses a more organic tone to convey a sense of happiness and bliss (well, it does to me) with clicks, hisses, pops and crackles all completely intact. I don't know exactly what Sven's been listening to recently but there's an almost, dare I say it, 12k-esque feel to it. It certainly wouldn't feel out of place on a Giuseppe Ielasi album, let's put it that way. It's a lovely track and finishes the EP off in a heart-warming fashion. So, in conclusion this is a splendid piece of work.

VA - Selected Moments II / Shoreless 00.4




"...Selected Moments II represents what could be an exciting new chapter in dub techno, and the label deserves every bit of the attention it's getting..."


1831 image 1 (July 2009) With only a handful of releases to its name and an MO that revolves around secrecy and limiting its distribution channels and number of CD's made, Shoreless Recordings is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about names in dub techno. While most limited-run labels usually wallow in obscurity, Shoreless is able to sell its cruelly limited albums (sometimes to only 110 copies) within days, if not hours, from its three UK and Europe distributors. The reason, this label is so popular, of course, lies with the music. Ever since its first release, Selected Moments I, flew under everyone’s radar back in 2008, news of the labels startlingly consistent quality has spread by word of mouth among dub techno fans. It was fortuitous, then, that I bought one of the 220 extant copies of Selected Moments II on a whim during the few precious hours it was for sale online.

If Selected Moments I was a statement of purpose for the label, Selected Moments II is a deeper, more dynamic restatement of the label’s goal to bring listeners the best in dank, subterranean dub techno. Ambient seems to be the overarching theme here, representing a self-assured step forward from Selected Moments I. From the beginning moments of "Motion" by Brendon Moeller (easily the best of the compilation), it is clear that the album is indeed darker and hazier than its predecessor. The track passes like a deep sea submarine, slowly sliding past the ears with glacial chord changes, filtered water sounds, and sonar bleeps reminiscent of Shinichi Atobe.

Burgeoning dub techno star Quantec offers a track here, "Resurface," which is a slow, disjointed jam that sounds like Intrusion on barbiturates. Languorous washes and vinyl crackle carry the song until halfway through, when a muffled bass kick and soft hi-hat clicks show up. Bvdub’s "Only The Willow Remains" peacefully glides by like a cold wind on the surface of a glacier; "Distance Radiance II Edit" by Relapxych.0 serves as its twin - more subdued, and trapped underneath the same block of ice. Martin Schulte's evocative album closer "Grey & Cold" sounds like an ambient Porter Ricks track straight from the Chain Reaction canon. There’s something vaguely aquatic about it, like an oxygen-deprived descent from sea level into increasingly dark waters. Deepchord remains an immediate point of reference for some tracks, most notably "Drive" by Faith Tuter and "Cpiralex Clouds" by Severence.

Basic Channel never licensed their recordings to any label save their own, and part of their success in influencing techno was the availability of their records. All nine of the seminal Basic Channel records are still in print, allowing anyone to purchase the entire catalog for a very reasonable price. Shoreless releases, on the other hand, go out of print so quickly that buying them second-hand means paying upwards of $50. With the absence of any opportunity to buy mp3's from Shoreless, it remains to be seen whether or not the label will be able to become truly influential in the increasingly derivative world of dub techno. Shoreless is also going to have to further distance itself from the Deepchord sound if it wants to be truly great. Regardless, Selected Moments II represents what could be an exciting new chapter in dub techno, and the label deserves every bit of the attention it's getting.









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.

bvdub - a prayer to false gods / shoreless 00.3



Beautiful, more ambient-ish than usual, album by Bvdub!

Grit - Expanse


Grit's flavour is such a cool blend of dub
techno, melody and downright groovesome pure tech excellence that this
CD was only ever going to be brilliant. From the very first track.
Endless Waves, you know you're in for a deep, deep ride with some
seriously beautiful chords and shuffling, almost electronica rhythmic
elements. From there you get the pure ambience of Mind Mapping, the
effortlessly lovely, yet robust Marianas Trench and then on through the
rest of the tracks. It really is a wonderful piece of work and the
combination of electronic styles here makes for a captivating listen.
Don't miss out as there really aren't that many around (180 I think).
Comes in a metal box with a Shoreless sticker.



Here it is, the one all Shoreless fans have been waiting for and
oh what a wait it has been. This release has suffered from various
setbacks and now the only sad part of finally having this tremendous
release in our hands, is that it won't be here for very long.
Excruciatingly limited and beautifully presented in its own metallic
tin, concealing within a seven track album of gorgeously crafted, deep
and dubby electronics. This really is a top notch release with a
definite underground mystique surrounding its very inception.

"SELECTED MOMENTS I"

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.

smallfish records UK