Losing Control

Losing Control

DBX [Accelerate]

6 March, 2008 | 4.23PM

• Section: Music Reviews
• Written by: Richard Brophy

Hopefully the decision to release this Dan Bell classic from the early 1990s digitally will provide some new inspiration for the next generation of techno producers.

It has become easy to engage in minimal bashing, but it’s not unwarranted; a good proportion of what is touted under this banner relies on the same tired effects to disguise poor production standards.

This race to the bottom is compounded by the fact that, despite the easy access to music online, there is a lack of understanding of and appreciation for techno’s rich sonic heritage and the thought processes that fuel it.

It is for precisely this reason that the re-release and remastering of ‘Losing Control’ by DBX is important.

Although my favourite version of ‘Losing Control’ is not available on this release - it appeared on the Peacefrog Remix EP from the same time - the uncomplicated interplay between the distinctive, muffled voice and the solid kick and razor sharp percussion is still audible.

‘Losing Control’ proves that the greatest art can consist of the simplest elements, but it’s what the artist does with those elements that counts.

Let’s just hope that this re-release makes the current wave of minimalists aware that the devil really is in the detail.

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