Info
Artists:
- Tiger Mendoza
- Warp Technique
- Stress Assassin
- Bluey
- Third Ear Audio
- Doof
- The Push
- Pitch Black
- Jah Acid Dub
- International Observer
Album: Waveform Transmissions Volume Three
Format: CD (Digipak)
Label: Waveforum Records
Catalog #: WAV 10101-2
Release Date: 09/14/10
Waveform Transmissions Volume Three
Tracks:
- Tiger Mendoza – Hope Sick (Dub Mix) (5:10)
- Warp Technique – Nowhere (Live Rerub) (8:33)
- Stress Assassin – Emotion Tracker (6:57)
- Bluey – Just One More (8:45)
- Third Ear Audio – Deep Blue (8:16)
- Doof – High (6:04)
- The Push – Long Ride to Fargo (9:59)
- Pitch Black – Harmonia (Subset Remix) (7:25)
- Jah Acid Dub – In Control Dub (7:07)
- International Observer – Popcorn Slavery (Mistrust Remix) (5:54)
Total Time: 74:19
Hot on the heels (did I really just use that? Good job.) of Waveform Records second Transmissions compilation comes the ten-track third volume. A slight departure from Volume Two, the third compilation is filled with a slew of tracks from relatively unknown artists, as well as a few older gems (Stress Assassin, anyone!?). My initial impression of the album as a whole is one of straight-up electronic dub. Gone are the outright psychedelic meanderings from the other Waveform Transmissions artists such as Capsula and Master Margherita. Replacing them are the more relaxed dub tracks from artists Bluey, The Push, and Jah Acid Dub. There are a few mainstays from all three volumes: Warp Technique (appearing as Warp Factor on Volume One), and International Observer. So dim that same lamp, flick that flame over the pipe and let’s go.
#1 – Tiger Mendoza – Hope Sick (Dub Mix)
I’ll admit freely I know nothing of this artist. This is the first track of theirs I’ve heard and to begin this review immediately, I’ll just say I’m impressed. It’s dubstep-infused but sloooooooowed down and rather dreamy, but with a melancholy toned, making the track aptly named. There’s a nice reverbed female vocal sample that permeates the track. The beats drop out halfway through, allowing some great atmosphere to build and coalesce. The beat disappears about 3/4s through and the track ends with the great atmosphere that took the entire track to get to. It perfectly leads into Warp Technique’s track. Overall, Hope Sick (Dub Mix) is a fantastic opening track to the compilation. (9/10)
#2 – Warp Technique – Nowhere (Live Rerub)
When I heard a third Transmissions volume was coming out, I automatically assumed Warp Technique would be on it. One of my favorite acts of the last five years, Warp Technique has been on all three Transmissions volumes. This album features a remix track of their song “Nowhere Dub”, off their first full-length release, Make Animals Happy. This track is also available as part of their second EP release “Animals”. It can be purchased on their Bandcamp page here. The track itself is a live remix and therefore has a more of a dance feel to it. The psychedelic squelching and fractal-sound representations are still present, so is their signature rumbling, driving, circular bass lines, but in this track there’s now more of a pronounced beat for the dance floor. The opening is longer, taking more time to get to the beat than the original. The track also seems to be filled with more sounds. It’s heavy, many sounds compete for attention, which is what I feel this type of music should be doing. Live Rerub is also about a minute shorter than the original, making it a bit more focused and less of a rambling feeling. However, some of the familiar and more interesting sounds from the original, especially towards the end are missing. I still can’t decide which one I enjoy more though and that’s fine with me. I really love both versions equally. (9/10)
#3 – Stress Assassin – Emotion Tracker
The first time I took a look at the lineup of songs for the compilation, my mind immediately jumped to track #3, Emotion Tracker by Stress Assassin. At first I was a bit excited, thinking it was a brand new release from Henrik Jonsson, so I immediately checked the Discogs database and found out it was actually released on his album Within The Office Of Eye And Ear, released way back in 2002 and recently re-released as a digital download on Dubmission Records. I was disappointed at all, it just reminded me that I haven’t really listened to the album in a very long time. I’ve since remedied that appropriately. To put it simply and efficiently, this is the highlight of the album for me. The track is a chilled, dub-infused masterpiece, with great atmospherics, gorgeous, interesting sounds that happen continuously throughout the soundspace. The heavily-processed vocal samples add even more to the atmosphere, the heavy reverb adds another dimension. The entire track feels big, but not overly so, and just when you think the track might be reaching a repetitive level, Jonsson throws in some live bass, right around the 5:25 mark, which takes the track to it’s conclusion. It’s a beautiful, relaxed finish to a great song. It doesn’t even feel eight years old. If you haven’t heard any of Stress Assassin’s stuff, go get it right now. Track of the album, for sure. (10/10)
#4 – Bluey – Just One More
Here is another act I’ve never heard until this compilation. Bluey is another Dubmission Records artist, who has an album out on the label called Ocean Unknown. This is a very long track, clocking in at almost nine minutes. The song really doesn’t get going until about the 1:45 mark. It’s a very slow, but peaceful and contemplative opening. The beat eventually comes in and stays throughout the track until the end. It closes the same way it began. This is a very pleasing track that allows the listener to slowly grow into the listening experience. It’s neither overpowering or overwhelming, a perfect addition to the album. (8/10)
#5 – Third Ear Audio – Deep Blue
One of my favorite releases of 2009, Third Ear Audio’s self-titled release was a breath of fresh air in the genre, in my opinion. Third Ear Audio is another project of producer Doof, who’s track is next at #6. Deep Blue is the most uptempo track of the entire album and therefore probably the most dance-able. It’s also one of the most psychedelic of the album as well. Over top of the driving bassline are myriad of sounds and noises that add depth and originality to the track. This is one of those dub tracks that never gives off the impression the artists didn’t know where to take the song next. It is constantly evolving with movement, with never a boring moment. Second favorite track on the album. If you haven’t picked up their debut release, you’re really missing out on one of the best albums of 2009. (9/10)
#6 - Doof – High
Doof has been making electronic music since the mid-90′s, having albums on TIP Records, Dragonfly, and Twisted. His newest release on Dubmission, Love Dub So, was released in July 2010. This track, High, is from this album. This is another psychedelic track. It’s got a very deep, groovy bassline throughout the track. A hilarious sample happens around the :50 mark. The track then takes off and rumbles largely to the finish. Psychedelic sounds morph around the sound field throughout, making the name of the track name very appropriate. Good track. (7/10)
#7 – The Push - Long Ride to Fargo
This is my third favorite track on the album. It’s the longest, clocking in at ten minutes. It’s a gorgeous dub-ambient track. The liner notes for the song say, “Deep dub from the realm of Arctic Dub. You can almost hear the crunch of snow under the wheels.” It’s an apt description of the track and so is the title of the song. The track meanders solidly the entire way, maintaining it’s rhythm throughout. I picture driving down the highway, isolated, not having seen another car for hours. Snow falling intermittently, roads sometimes clear and dry, sometimes not. Visibility is questionable from the wind blowing across the road. Nothing but solitude and contemplation for the driver and his passengers. Samples quietly fade up, giving off the impression of the driver’s inner thoughts or memories. An absolutely fabulous track! (10/10)
#8 - Pitch Black – Harmonia (Subset Remix)
In my opinion, along with Twisted Record’s Ott, Pitch Black makes the most beautiful dubbed-out tracks today. Their use of bass is astounding. They really are dub masters. This Subset remix of their track Harmonia is on Dubmission Records’ Harmonia Pt. 1 EP. The original track appeared on Pitch Black’s album Rude Mechanicals. This is one of the better remixes I’ve heard. I personally prefer remixes to be so vastly difference from the original that its difficult to tell it’s a remix at all. This is one of the tracks. If it was possible to take a Pitch Black track and make it more dubby, this is it. For the majority of the track is has slower beats, deeper basslines and atmospherics. What’s interesting about the track is that it’s pace picks up 2/3s of the way through and actually becomes more uptempo then Pitch Black’s original track. It really is a great remix. Be sure to check out both tracks to compare the differences! (8/10)
#9 - Jah Acid Dub – In Control Dub
Never heard of this act either, but I like what I hear! This is an extremely psychedelic-dub track. The bass is huge, the sounds compliment perfectly and the repeated vocal sample that asks “In control, or out of control?” don’t ever get repetitive and keep the message of the track in the forefront at all times. This is a very chill track and one that, while not my favorite on the album, is still a great track and worthy of being on the compilation. (8/10)
#10 - International Observer – Popcorn Slavery (Mistrust Remix)
International Observer is another mainstay on the Waveform Transmissions compilations as well as on Dubmission. This track is a remix by Mistrust and is found on the Popcorn Slavery EP. I haven’t heard the original track so I can’t comment on it or the differences between it and this Mistrust remix. I can say, however, that this is not only a quality track, but a perfect ending to the album. It’s definitely dub, but it’s chilled dub. It’s relaxing, nothing chaotic or dancey at all, just straight up chill. (8/10)
As you can hopefully see, I enjoyed this album a lot. It has a great mixture of big-name, established artists, as well as unknown newcomers (to me, anyway). Like the previous two Transmissions albums, this one features an eclectic showcase of dub’s various styles. So stop reading this way-too-long review, pick up a copy for yourself and relax the day away. Thanks for reading.
Top 3 Tracks:
- Stress Assassin – Emotion Tracker
- Third Ear Audio – Deep Blueth
- The Push - Long Ride to Fargo