After spending a year on the road, experimenting with new sounds and production methods, Abstract Division returns to their home imprint with the release of the 'Activated EP.' Fashioned true to their well known unique balanced style, this three track EP presents its listener with a powerful blend of deep tools and peak-time grooves. A real must-have for every selector, these tracks will cary any dance-floor deep in to the night, and far beyond.
Looking back on a wide array of releases, it is safe to say that 2015 has been a great year for Dynamic Reflection. So it was only natural to set the aim even higher for 2016, beginning with the long awaited return of Abstract Division to their native imprint, by the release of their first ever double EP: Contemporary Spaces.
Always being credited as great storytellers in both their music and DJ-sets, exploring the format of a truly extended play seemed like a logical progression from Abstract Division's work until now. Not set out to be an album, but certainly being more than just an EP, Contemporary Spaces explores the current state of techno, providing the listener with wayward and timeless pieces drawing their inspiration from the broad spectrum of electronic music. Yet, while each individual track stands in its own place and time within this spectrum, the EP as a whole compliments the diversity of past, present and future influences and styles.
Contemporary Spaces is one of their most extensive and widely aimed projects to date and solely consists of original material. It is released as a limited double 12inch, pressed on lush white vinyl. A special piece of artwork with download codes giving access to the digital formats is included as a special bonus to early adopters.
For the second and last EP of Contemporary Spaces remixes, Dynamic Reflection welcomes yet another batch of talented producers to the label. Just like the first remix EP, it is a mix between household names, and up and comers. First off, it's Perc's interpretation of Glide. The UK based artist, who is known for his use of distortion and aggressiveness, takes it down a notch on this occasion. He has made Glide into a echoing and glitchy track that doesn't reach its energy peak until the last couple of minutes. Matrixxman takes overwith his Biohazard mix of Future Existence, which contains a tensive synth, confined by a filter that gradually opens,and than closes again, retaining your attention at all times. On the Bside, SHDW and Obscure Shape reshaped The Hunt to provide the first outright dance floor track of the EP. With its thumping kick and epic pads around the breaks, it's bound to win crowds over in the club. Dutch talent Ben Buitendijk also remixed Future Existence, in his own distinctive, hypnotic style. A deep, though energetic track with a very mature sound. Lastly, as a digital bonus, Matrixxman remixed Immersion as well. The subby kick, old school rides and uplifting lead, make it into one of those secret weapons, waiting to be used on the night's most workedup moments.
A couple of months after the release of Contemporary Spaces, four of Abstract Division's tracks get remixed. And who better suited for the job than label residents Stefan Vincent and Deepbass & Ness, and Dynamic Reflection debutants Tensal and Lewis Fautzi. Tensal has reshaped 'The Hunt' into a powerful club-banger. The original synth is still present, although heavily processed by a number of echoes and reverbs. That, backed up by numerous noises going on in the background, makes it a Hunting piece of music indeed. Deepbass and Ness have taken 'Passenger' for their account and transformed it into something of their own, inimitable sound. Deep and subby kicks, complemented with complex soundscapes. Lewis Fautzi's version of Encounter is clearly deeper than the original. The impellent synth and matching percussion, make it a fascinating trip to listen to. Stefan Vincent has formed Glide - the original EP's soundscape intro - into a beautiful piece of breakbeat-techno. And with that, he has provided the perfect outro for this remix-EP.
DREF033 sees the return of two long time label friends and contributors, the Scottish Deepbass and the Italian Ness. Despite the fact that both of them are prolific enough solo acts as it is, once in a while they combine forces and deliver a co-produced masterpiece, to which the Outer Limits EP is no exception. However, make no mistake: the fact they have found their signature sound, does not mean they aren't constantly reinventing themselves. For this occasion, the two have made sporadical use of euphoric synth sounds, even gently alluding to trance at some point. Apart from that, they have adequately built their ever-evolving soundscapes upon subtly processed percussion. A welcome addition to the two original tracks presents itself in the form of the talented producer Shlomo. The Frenchman has given his version of Outer Limits a powerful breakbeat foundation, making this EP into more of what it already was: a match made in heaven.
The Clarity EP signifies the return of Dutch techno heavyweight Jeroen Search to Dynamic Reflection. The result is a powerful four track EP, that clearly demonstrates Jeroen's unique and personal approach to contemporary techno; Skilfully build grooves fused together with funky stabs, form a unique, recognisable and inimitable "Search-blend". Proving once more Jeroen Search is an undisputed master of true machine funk.
Tired of just rumbling low ends and mindless battering, Stefan Vincent points us in a more melodic direction. A rather melancholic and dystopian one, showing off his understanding of harmonics and tone sections. These compositions in Minor and Major hint towards equally feeling, futuristic atmospheres in which human kind is more and more affected by its unsatisfiable hunger for technology and perfection. Guided by the terrifying beauty of this vision, Stefan takes us on a four track tour through this world. A world in which we will have become merely observers of ourselves and we can only be let down. We can only watch as we rise towards being doubtful sentients. We can only listen as we wait for the machines to catch up with us.