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.
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.
Enjoy!