Review of Lostwithiel EP by The Chain
Founded in Belgium, the R&S label were one of the coolest and most progressive techno labels of the early 90's - get your uncle to dig out his copy of their moment defining 1994 compilation In Order To Dance vol. 5 - before going into hibernation early this century.
Now relocated to London and thoroughly rejuvenated, once again it's become the launchpad for some truly fascinating releases, jawdropping EP's such as Pariah's Safehouses and James Blake's pant-wettingly brilliant CMYK, along with the new works of the reformed demi-gods Model 500 to name but a few.
In truth The Chain never reach those kind of heights with Lostwithiel, but there's still plenty for genre connoisseurs to get excited about, especially on the alternative versioning of title track, an intentionally sparse dubstep inspired episode, consisting of ghostly discombobulated samples and a nagging, bit part playing sub-bass. The lead version differs in that it's vaguely eastern overtones are slightly more dancefloor centric, but we're talking fractions really. It's the other cut which will really have the original label loyalists under it's worn out slipmat: Maje is a classic old skool acid house cut, complete with sirens, diva vamps and more breaks, drops and gurning than a chimps tea party.
The rise of dubstep has had a very welcome knock on effect on our perceptional boundaries, one which has a wide vista of alternative dance music basking in the halo effect. The world would be a darker place without labels like R&S, and unless you want X-Factor troglodytes blighting your life forever, I suggest it's about time we started following devotedly them again. Altogether now, ACIEEEED!!
Andy Peterson
