- If, like the more militant labels and organisations, you view techno as an ongoing struggle between the genuine and the opportunistic, then Submersible Machines marks a massive victory for the "real" producers. While I'd be wary of subscribing to such a creed, there is no doubt that this eponymous debut EP is a hugely impressive work.
The author has spent an inordinate amount of time and effort listening to and seeking to recreate Drexciya's ethereal electro, but on closer examination, it's clear that Convextion's sensuous melodies and rhythmic complexities as well as the cinematic ambience of the sadly absent Detroit Escalator Co project have also left their mark. On "Upwelling," spooky electronic textures unfold, recalling the Stinson-Donald partnership, but the pulsing bass pushes the arrangement to a place that house and disco DJs will also appreciate. "When Whales Fall" goes deeper, featuring glacial chords, yet the fluid acid pulses keep the track dance floor-bound. By the time the melancholy synths of "Blue Hole" appear however, the release's slide towards an introspective place is in train.
This mood is also evident on the menacing low end gurgles and mysterious atmospherics of "Braving the Benthic" and, while the low-slung jack of "Cold Seep" marks a slight return to the floor, its execution is so mysterious and evocative that one quickly forgets about the backing. The black-hoodie wearing militia will claim that Machines marks a victory for the underground against soulless dross, but irrespective of your viewpoint, there is no doubt that Submersible Machines is a lovingly-crafted, effortlessly beautiful release.
TracklistA1 Upwelling
A2 When Whales Fall
A3 Blue Hole
B1 Braving the Benthic
B2 Cold Seep