Martin Schulte – Underwater EP [tro15]

Audio, Deep House & Techno, Dub Techno & House // By: SimonVBcloseAuthor: SimonVB Email: simon.vanbockstal@gmail.com
More Authors Posts (23) // 13/03/2011 // No Comments

Before proceeding any further, readers are encouraged to press play on the preview track. This text will make a lot more sense if you do. Done? Welcome to the submarine world of laidback sounds that is ‘Underwater EP’ by Martin Schulte (an alias of the Russian musician Marat Shibaev)

Throughout this 20 minute EP, listeners’ ears are massaged by muted bassdrums, pleasant crackling in the high-end and pads that seem to come rolling from miles away. Sporting characteristics of deep house, dub, and some very lazy techno (this techno is so lazy it has started living in symbiosis with the couch, man, seriously), this is one heck of a chill-pill. I chose the title track for the preview, because out of all 4 tracks, this is the one that best illustrates these qualities.

The title and cover are incredibly well-chosen, as they are spot on when it comes to conveying the mood for this EP. The occasions for playing this record will be plentiful: as one is equally inclined to play these tracks on cold winter days as on lazy summer evenings, for they fit in remarkably well in both contexts. This is no false claim, as it has been tested and found true for the past five years since its initial release in 2006. This is that most remarkable of gems, a release that sounds fresh every time you listen to it, no matter how many times.

‘Underwater EP’ is permeated with a warm, submerged sound that inevitably reminds one of tropical seas. If you’ve never scuba-dived in your life, then this is about as close as you’ll get without actually getting your feet wet. Highly recommended. [SVB]

Martin Schulte – Underwater

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Deep link to the release page

VA – Third Drive [dplm23]

Dub Techno & House, Review by Genre, TechHouse // By: NetlabelismcloseAuthor: Netlabelism Email: markus@modularfield.net
More Authors Posts (118) // 06/03/2011 // No Comments

Deeplimit is an ukrainian netlabel which has its focus on tech house, chill-out and all kinds of music which the label calls deep. The compilation “Third Drive” was released to celebrate their third year of existence in the netlabel world and offers a good opportunity to make a test dive into this deepness.

And in this release, you can find some really nice pearls. Starting with Nikosf Summerbreeze remix of “Oceandive” by Stef_, a wonderful smooth evolving track, or the more groovy, and diversified “Seclusion Vault” by Exoplanet, which is enriched with surprising samples. Another great find is “The message” by Federson.  The other tracks by artists from all over the world are worth exploring and invite one to calm down, relax and enjoy oneself. If you like smooth, diversified chill-out tracks, you should put on your diving goggles now.

Federsen – The_Message

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Deep Link To:  The Release Page

Zoltan Solomon – For The Girls Who Died Last Night [did049]

Dub Techno & House // By: MarkuscloseAuthor: Markus Email: markus@netlabelism.com
More Authors Posts (76) // 03/03/2011 // No Comments

Zoltan Solomon is broadcasting deep vibrations onto the web, directly from Budapest. I really like the combination of the title and the cover, which manages to stay abstract while at the same time delivering the message. An EP full of atmospheric layers and deep dub chords establishing a melancholic vibe.  Two of my favourite tracks present this atmosphere:  the title track “For The Girls Who Died Last Night” and “Ventillator”. I picked this last one for the preview, as it represents the more pushing side of the EP. Floating layers and some nice percussion direct the audience to at times hectic but always deep listening sessions. Overall another nice deep release from the “Deepindub Netlabel”. [MS]

Zoltan Solomon – Ventillator

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Deep Link To: The Release Page