Ende der 90er Jahre zeigen die Produzenten aus Detroit eindrucksvoll wer in Sachen Techno die
Hosen an hat. 1999 veröffentlicht DJ Rolando mit Knights Of The Jaguar einen der wichtigsten
Techno-Tracks überhaupt im Jahr darauf machen es ihm Octave One mit ihrer Hitsingle Black
Water nach. Der Vocal-Track gesungen von Kevin Saundersons Frau Ann Saunderson entwickelt
sich zum genreübergreifenden Konsens-Hit in den Clubs und ist der größte Erfolg des Projekts.
Und jetzt folgt mit Burn It Down endlich das neue Studioalbum feat. Ann Saunderson und Random
Noise Generaton kann alles: Euphorischer Diva-House dreckiger Techno Cosmic Soundscapes
funky Licks und große Hymnen. A year after their impressive last album Burn It Down Detroit
techno legends Octave One are back with a nine track double EP that again shows they are
masters of big hypnotic grooves. Entitled Love by Machine the album's name is a nod to the
fact that the Burden brothers are such revered masters of their hardware. Both in the studio
where they cook up atmospheric house and techno with soaring synths and vocals and also in the
live arena where they are celebrated as one of the most accomplished and forward thinking
performers in the game today. That is all the more impressive when you bear in mind they have
been active since the '80s most often releasing on their own 430 West label which is where
they appear again here. Say Lenny: We've been exploring the theme of connection with this
project. How technology gives us the illusion that we are closer to each other more than ever.
At some point humanity crossed a line where the devices that we created to bring us together
are the same devices that are blocking us from organic experiences. Technology is only a tool
which we also had in mind during the recording process. Adds Lawrence. We decided to go back to
how we used to make our records when we didn't have so many 'sophisticated' audio devices.
Back to when we interacted in the studio together as musicians. Things open up with the loose
metallic percussive line that is In Mono which sets the machine made tone and is filled with
promise. Locator then immediately gets to action with a gallivanting techno kick and various
synth lines wrapping round each other as you get sucked into the groove. Just Don't Speak
(Midnight Sun Redub) is a more deep and house leaning track with big feel good piano keys and
slithering synths that will get hands in the air. Proving they have real range 7 B4 Dawn is a
moody and reserved cut with subtle acid pricks hip swinging claps and a spaced out dead of
night feel. The second half of the album offers peak time business in the form of the
spectacular Bad Love II the whirring and cosmic Sounds of Jericho and the big loops and fluid
grooves of [Where] Time Collides. Pain Pressure is a wonky number with big bassline and a focus
on percussive patterns as well as some vocals with real attitude and last cut 8 B4 Dawn ends
things in a downbeat and sombre way with sad chords and emotive strings. It is pure Detroit
much like the whole album and rounds out another fine release from these most revered
veterans.
