Dubfire // OCTVS [SCI+TEC]
Ali Dubfire is a producer who truly requires no introduction, him having produced some of the most exciting and fresh techno sounds around in the last 5 years. However, the trouble with setting yourself such high standards is that when you drop below them, it is very noticeable – with that in mind, OCTVS, his first new production to come out on SCI+TEC for 3 years, is a disappointment.
The track starts off superbly, in fact the first 3 minutes are thrilling. A kick drum and a striking, machine funk-like bassline start us off, and the fx and percussion that come into play shortly after build things very nicely indeed. Then the hats open out, the snare kicks in, and a familiar wood blocky-type effect adds momentum, and the track has a real strut going on. We then start to get the first hearing of the siren like synth stabs that permeate through the track, and we are truly excited as to where the track is going to take us.
Alas, the imagination soon runs out and we are left frustrated at what seems like a major missed opportunity, with the siren effect which is so dominant neither maintaining interest nor building tension. There are a couple of moments after the two breakdowns where the track gets into it’s stride again, but it doesn’t really feel worth the effort that it took to get there.
The second track on the release is is certainly very interesting, it being such a departure from the norm for the former Deep Dish man – Debris is stripped down dub techno, reminiscent at times of the remix work that The Mad Professor did for Massive Attack in the mid 90s. At nearly 11 minutes it is a bit lengthy, but when played in the right place at the right time, it may well take you on a journey to some interesting places.
Overall there are ideas in these two tracks which suggest some even more exciting and interesting material to come from Ali in the future – sadly the overall package is not satisfying enough, coming from a man of such considerable talents.
Release Date: Out Now
Words: Stevie Reid
