BASIC CHANNEL

The originators and master architects of dub techno.

THE ORIGINATORS

There are few production outfits as foundational to techno music as Basic Channel. In the early 90s, the German duo of Moritz von Oswald and Mark Ernestus was pivotal in placing Berlin at the forefront of this emerging sound, providing a European counterpoint and sparring partner to the waves of innovation coming out of Detroit.

At the same time, they were exerting huge influence over dub, reggae, house and a swathe of other genres through a near-flawless run of releases across an extraordinary range of side projects and aliases. All of which we’ll cover in the coming weeks.

For now, let’s start at the beginning.

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BASIC CHANNEL

It’s hard to imagine today what Berlin must have been like in the early 1990s. A time when post-industrial, administrative and military buildings vacated by the collapsing Soviet empire became a playground for hedonistic adventurers and artists forging a new path into a free future.

But rather than listen to me speculate, go and read about it from someone who was actually there.

At the epicentre of this extraordinary historical moment was a production team, Basic Channel, expertly flexing the machine funk template of Detroit techno into the audio processing, echo-chamber sensibilities of Jamaican dub soundsystems to create something bold, fresh and new: Dub Techno.

I know we say this a lot, but in this instance it really is mandatory to go and check out the entire back catalogue. I could very easily embed every single track Basic Channel have released, and be justified in doing so. But for the sake of editorial rigour I’ve pulled a few favourites below:

Cyrus ‘Enforcement’ (BC 01 / 1993)

Their first release is a blistering statement of intent with a direct link to Jeff Mills (both sonically, and through his remix on the flip side) and no doubt a huge influence on Robert Hood, who would go on to release ‘Minimal Nation’ the following year.

The early Basic Channel stuff was something that did have more of a Detroit flavor. Yeah, I would say it has some direct influences from Jeff Mills. The beginning of Basic Channel sounded like Detroit techno but really degraded, sonically degraded. We were doing our music with what we had, but what they were doing was something else. What we were doing in Detroit is we were making paintings. What they were doing was they were making sculptures.

Carl Craig (via RA)

I often wonder how it must have felt descending into some monochrome, post-Soviet bunker to hear one of these monumental rhythms slowly and menacingly emerging out of the darkness.

What an incredible time.

Basic Channel ‘Phylyps Track’ (BC 02 / 1993)

The second Basic Channel release delivers one of the all time tracks of techno. Tough and rolling yet, at the same time, delicate and skeletal. Kicks submerged under layers of processing and effects. Not the relentless ‘boom’ of the modern sound, but something much more human and refined.

A true work of art.

Basic Channel ‘Octaedre’ (BC 07 / 1994)

A masterpiece of phasing and slow, patient minimalist evolution.

Sod it, have the A-side too:

Basic Channel ‘Octagon’ (BC 07 / 1994)

An impeccable release.

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While I certainly appreciate the high-tempo tracks, it’s the deeper cuts that resonate with me most strongly. A prime example being this timeless piece of music:

Basic Channel ‘Q1 1/I’ (BC 04 / 1993)

Majestic, shimmering and optimistic. It could have been released today and still sound fresh and new.

Would do serious damage at DC10.

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And while the Basic Channel sound is undeniably club-ready and primed for the dancefloor, for my money the strongest output lies in their ambient and dubbed out explorations.

Which is really saying something, because the straight techno is absolutely first rate. As you’ve just heard.

Vainquer ‘Lyot Rmx’ (BC 03 / 1993)

Cyrus ‘Presence’ (BC 05 / 1993)

I could listen to this on loop for days.

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Finally, three tracks that place BC at the absolute pinnacle of my record collection.

‘Radiance I’ (BC 08 / 1994)

‘Radiance III’ (BC 08 / 1994)

Basic Channel ‘Mutism’ (BCD / 1995)

These are deep, profound, healing grooves created with time, care and attention that demand extended home listening.

They are also a perfect segue into the Rhythm & Sound project which I’ll be covering in two weeks time.

For now, take care.

Peace and love.

Rubin