Dosem / Parallel
CD / Vinyl / Digital
Sino / Released June 2011
Catalan studio cat Dosem is the guy responsible for 12″ releases such as Silent Drop and Beach Kisses. Here he does away with the difficult decision of how to approach an electronic album by creating a huge collection of music spread over two CDs, taking in the early electronica of Jean Michel Jarre, downbeat, dub techno, progressive house, and jacking tech in the process.
First up we’re treated to Dosem, a 22-track mix that opens with the kind of sonics linked to 70s German prog, before hi-hats and keys usher in the sense of a club set coming alive, which is bang on the money, as the next 80 minutes or so prove. It’s also here that you’ll find the two aforementioned singles, though surprisingly neither can steal this highlight heavy show.
Which is largely because of the classic piano and string roller Beyond You, a tune that sounds more like it was conceived in Detroit than Barcelona. Then there’s also the almost off-tempo wooden chimes and tribal percussion of Not Afraid To Jump (a track that should please Agoria et al), and nobody should ignore the warm basslines and soaring synths of closer Together, which might remind some older readers of seeing Sasha get going in a good mood.
But that’s only scratching the surface. The rather anthemic vocal treat that is True Elements is a masterpiece aided by Louder Bays, with enough atmospheric diva delivery to create another four or five great tunes. A retro low end and analogue violin hook introduce the familiar vibe, which is compulsive already, so when a real song begins, complete with an occasional loop on the lyrics, you have to wonder why people don’t make music like this very often anymore; danceable, deep, and seductive. Finally Parallel Fate tops off the opening bounty by bringing the darkness on thick and fast, meaning you need to be ready for a white noise spanker that boasts a thundering, paint stripping, and sweat inducing baritone.
By now most will have forgotten there’s a whole other disc to sink their teeth into. Sendo is the banner for episode two, an outing that’s distinctly more experimental than the earlier instalment. The quality remains though, with enough deep broken beat offerings to satisfy anyone with a penchant for Rob D style chill out fare (the old skool ethereality of Questions, and Children of Yesterday‘s electro leanings, naming but two).
You’ll also find dubbier offerings too, like the throbbing, stripped styles of Maulenia (those in appreciation of Pendle Coven will enjoy, even if it does include some jazzy organs), and Changes‘ steam filled mechanical rhythms also work well. All that should explain why we’ve opted to recommend, without having to reference the wonderfully engrossing post-rave stepper Vertex, or My Secret, and its nostalgic, euphoric, snare-happy breaks. In short, if after 465 words you’re still not convinced there’s little point in carrying on, other than to say buy this and you’ll need to keep a lot less music to hand for the foreseeable future. Quality stuff.
