Soma Records, founded by Stuart McMillan and Orde Meikle, also known as the techno duo Slam, is one of the world's leading independent electronic dance music labels. Established in Glasgow, Scotland in 1991, Soma has been consistently releasing great music for over three decades. The label has gained worldwide recognition for its early works of renowned artists like Jeff Mills, Dave Clarke, Funk D’Void, and Silicone Soul’s iconic track "Right On Right On". It also released the original vinyl version of Daft Punk's track "Da Funk" along with other notable contributions to the electronic dance music scene.
Review: As a taster for Simon Stokes aka Petrichor's second artist album, Soma delivers the rolling techno of "6EQUJ5". However, the Scottish label has been careful not to reveal too much and has also commissioned remixes of new Petrichor material. Echoplex turns "After Velvet" into an atmospheric but forceful workout, its anthem-liked chords underpinned by big-room kicks, while the talented, iconic artist Pub also delivers two interpretations of Petrichor's music. The first is a textured, ambient take on "Valdo", while Pub's version of "After Velvet" is truly special, as classical woodwind is merged with a gentle, bubbling groove to create a truly standout remix.
Review: Prolific dub techno producer Rod Modell has spent much of the last year collaborating with long-term studio buddy Stephen Hitchell under the Echospace alias. Even so, he's still somehow found time to ready another solo album for regular home Soma (his fifth in total for the esteemed Glasgow-based techno label). While the CD version is presented as one continuous audio journey, this digital edition contains each track in its entirety. There are few surprises, but plenty of highlights: after all, nobody does this kind of hypnotic, meditative, ambient-influenced dub techno quite as well as Modell.
Review: While the Arches has sadly closed, that other great Glasgow institution, Soma, keeps on putting out great music. The label's latest project is Transmissions Glasgow, a compilation of 15 tracks from the city's producers. It is executed in much the same way as one of Slam's flawless DJ sets; beginning with the serene ambience of Edit Select's "iN1" and the fractured, slow-motion beats of Puddledub's "Circling", it moves into the deep, trance house of Dextrous "Station to Station". It wouldn't be a Soma compilation without some techno and this is provided by artists like Deepbass and the brilliantly named Complex Emotional Response, but as always, Slam's take on the form is deeply soulful and emotive, demonstrated here most impressively by Edit Select's percussive but mournful synth-led "Resurface".
Review: It says something about Roberto Clementi's proficiency in the studio - not to mention his prolific nature - that "Lordpole" wasn't featured on his excellent debut album, N Lights, which dropped back in May. In many ways it's typical of his style, delivering a dubbier, slightly deeper take on classic Detroit techno complete with spacey chords, shaker-rich rhythms and heavyweight bottom-end. Forward Strategy Group man Patrick Walker provides a rare remix, emphasising the original's Motor City-inspired elements while giving the groove a bit more space. It actually sounds a little like something you'd get from an on-form Carl Craig, which is high praise indeed. Clementi voyages further into space with bonus cut "Didier", a deep techno outing that's as comforting as a late night hug.
Review: Rod Modell is synonymous with introspective techno transmissions and on Soundfields, he slips seductively into abstract composition. Most of the tracks here are only a few minutes long, but it is to Modell's credit that he makes each dreamy sequence segue seamlessly into the next one. Framed against a glitchy, static backdrop, Modell teases out jazzy signatures on "Lavender"; the sound of a forest full of animals waking at dawn on "Whispering Pines" and swirling dub techno on "Aerosphere". Soundfields flows unhurriedly and fluently from start to finish, but it reaches a suitable crescendo on the woozy textures of "Barcelona".
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