THE MUSIC

We’re focussing on Carbinax’s latest album Gone To Ground, which he was just finishing up as we interviewed him over the lockdown, plus one of his more ambient tracks, so we have the track

Unstoppable from the former and the more delicate Floating (both at FileSilo. co.uk to download as mp3s).

Unstoppable is exactly as Chris promised above, a return to the warm security blanket that is Detroit techno. The high lead chord progression synth stabs and vocal samples could have been lifted from the late 80s/early 90s but we’d argue that the beats are heavier, more dramatic and effected than those more classic TR-style techno ones… and all the better for it. Yes they probably are Roland beats but the production drags them forward a few decades. Likewise the 303-alike bassline that hits at just over a minute is less typical than those used, thanks largely to the chordal structure it’s following. We love the breakdown – this kind of more random event really separates any track of this ilk from a bog standard set of loops – indeed the interest is held throughout with all sorts of these rhythmic, stop-you-inyour-tracks moments. Overall it’s time travel with a glossy modern twist, like the Tardis had a new lick of paint and a new Maschine X fitted in place of those levers. After Unstoppable, listen to Floating and we dare you NOT to be gobsmacked that they are by the same producer.

The Carbinax machine that produced that slice of techno does indeed have a human heart and it’s piano – and quite happy piano at that – and incredible swirling atmosphere that open the track. As much as we like this sweeping melodic mist, it’s actually the darker, more enticing bass notes that enter the cloud as the piano leaves that we find fascinating, and just as we’re expecting them to evolve and do their thing, the whole track ups and leaves; like the best of anything, it leaves you wanting more. No bad thing and something to perhaps pursue; maybe even to bridge the vast gap between both songs?