Phylyps Trak

Phylyps Trak

Basic Channel [Basic Channel]

13 February, 2008 | 9.37AM

• Written by: Richard Brophy 2
• Filed under: Music Recommendations: basic channel

Here’s a release that I never thought I would see available digitally.

Basic Channel is one of three of the most influential techno labels– in my opinion, the other two are Underground Resistance and Tresor: there are, however, other worthy contenders – but its existence has always been inextricably linked to a physical relationship with the fan, staring at that iconic yet scuffled ‘logo’ from an inlay or in its most ‘accessible’ form, on a CD.

Not any more. The purists may balk at the idea of the warm, hissing slivers of muffled, dubby sound making its way from the crackle and pop of vinyl into digital, but the reproduction here is fine – and surely it’s preferable for a new generation of techno fans to appreciate Basic Channel rather than some umpteenth-hand mnml derivative?

The only remaining issue then is which version is better?

‘II/I’ is a panning, hypnotic groove, created long before ‘loopy’ became a marketable sub-species, but the more restrained ‘II/I’, with the most memorable chord stab and unforgettable wheezy beats wins out every time.

It’s also the ideal introduction for anyone who is only just starting to investigate Basic Channel’s uniquely rich back catalogue.

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