DEEPCHORD 黑胶唱片和CD

Review: As usual, prolific dub techno producer Rod Modell has spent much of the last year collaborating with long-term studio buddy Stephen Hitchell under the Echospace alias. Even so, he's still somehow found time to ready another solo album for Soma (his fifth in total for the esteemed Glasgow imprint). This CD version is presented as a continuous audio journey, with tracks seamlessly segueing into each other to create a hazy and hypnotic sound soup. As you'd expect, it's a hugely atmospheric and attractive affair that dozily drifts between meditative ambience and texture-laden dub techno. Pleasingly, much of the material is more melodious and positive in feel than some of Modell's work, which can often tend towards the dense and claustrophobic.

Review: There is little to say about Rod Modell's Deepchord project apart from the fact that it has been one of the most consistent techno projects of the last ten to fifteen years. The man has done it all and seen it all, landing on labels such as Modern Love, echospace, his own Deepchord, of course, and even Scotland's long-running Soma. He's back on the latter with three aptly mental slices of dub techno, with "Exploring The North" dominating the A-side with a fast yet subtle bass drum surrounded by an ocean of masterful sonics that have been transformed thanks to the mounds of effects laid upon them. "Pinewood Lodge" is a similar sort of beast, and it reminds us of an early-morning rave-up on some far-away planet, while "Shot Point" is for the real dub enthusiasts, a simple sea of delayed harmonies woven together by sounds of the ocean.

Review: In 2005, DeepChord inaugurated Mike Huckaby's legendary S Y N T H label with two 12"s called Electromagnetic Dowsing and Electromagnetic Dowsing (The Final Step). The label has always been a deep house meets dub techno enigma with much of its limited catalogue becoming something of unspoken folklore, and Rod Modell now adds to the legend by releasing Electro Magnetic Dowsing: The Lost D Side, what could well be the final instalment of his Electromagnetic Dowsing series, on his own label Echospace. This fourth production sees DeepChord in full flight with blankets of textures hugging a rock solid four-four beat petted by subtle keys and echoing percussion. More quality from DeepChord once again.

Review: Even by dub techno standards, Rob Modell seems to be unfeasibly productive. There's been a veritable deluge of Deepchord-related releases this year - all up to the Detroit-based producer's impeccable standards, of course - with the first Luxury 12" on Soma arguably standing out. This follow-up is predictably strong, with Modell expertly crafting two starry, melodic and admirably hypnotic compositions. Choose between the twinkling melodies, rolling chords and starlight grooves of "Luxury 3" and the bolder, more sci-fi tinged "Luxury 4", whose undulating percussion, fluid chords and dub-style live mixing guarantee eyes-wide-shut thrills.

Review: One of the best compliments you can pay a minimal techno producer is that they have an ability to make a lot with few elements. While Deepchord's layered, textured sound could be described as maximal techno, on this release for Soma, its simplicity is its strength. In reality, not much happens over the course of the ten-minute plus "Luxury 1", yet its dubby beats, sub-aquatic chords and occasional diversions into dreamy reveries is over before the listener realises it. "Luxury 2" is more dance floor-friendly, but despite this, the break beats are gentle and unassuming and the melodies subtle yet insidious. It makes for a straightforward but seductive combination.