Artist: The Black Dog
Release: Libre Kult (Book 1 Ov 3)
Label: Dust Science
This release from The Black Dog (currently
Ken Dowdie, Martin Dust and Richard Dust) on Dust Science sees one of Sheffield ’s Intelligent Dance Music pioneers return with
a typically well sculpted double A side. Sculpted is certainly the word for the
ambient soundscapes that appear on this record, although those who are fans of
their previous album, “Music For Real Airports”, should be prepared for a
thoroughly more techno oriented sound.
On the A side “Black Chamber Order” opens
with a gentle ambience reminiscent of an Orbital track or some of the tracks
from “Music for Real Airports”. The track then builds up with a minimal techno
kick drum and an atmospheric bass line. This is all overlaid by rich synth
textures with that characteristic simultaneous depth out of seemingly simple
production. The subtlety of production and the work that has obviously gone
into melding it all together is particularly impressive. Techno fans will be pleased
to here a clacking bass kick/hi-hat combination giving the track a sound more
characteristic of early The Black Dog releases, giving the track a pleasing
techy ebb and flow.
“Bass Mantra” on the AA side certainly
lives up to its name. The intro opens with a minimal rhythmical synth stab
building a rolling tension with the promise of a hard edged minimal beat. A
layer of exciting and edgy bass builds the tension further, the kick and hi-hat
then introduce themselves, creating a pleasingly throbbing track. This one is
most certainly on the techno side of the group’s releases and continually grows
and shrinks in an even more rhythmical style than the A side. The synths and
percussion give a moody character to the track and a much more heads down style
with a rolling rhythm whilst preserving that hypnotic drift so characteristic
of the group’s work over the years. This is definitely a set-builder of a track
and is certainly the track on this release most suited to DJs and techno
fans.
This release shows a welcome return to the
techno style that can be recognised as far back as their earliest releases in
1989 and 1990. For those who are keen on a dance floor style with the tight
minimal production of The Black Dog this is a winner. Although both tracks are
similar in style they are sufficiently different to form a strong double A
side, more suited to techno fans than those who may have been expecting
something like “Music For Real Airports”. As usual, The Black Dog don’t shy
away from experimenting with their sound and we are treated to an atmospheric
release full of promise for the dance floor.
Originally written for Now Then Magazine:
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