Berlin techno club and label Tresor celebrates its 30th anniversary and welcomes Los Angeles based artist Isreal Vines to their global roster with his latest “Voices” EP.
The legendary Berlin nightclub turns thirty. To celebrate it’s released several EPs and a massive 52-track compilation to celebrate. Consistently pushing boundaries and committed to building community, the label aims to work with artists that have significantly contributed to the development of the scene. Artists like Donato Dozzy, and the lesser known, but equally integral to the development and success of Tresor, TV Victor, have both seen releases on the label in the midst of celebrating their 30th anniversary. Both of these artists have been notable contributors to Tresor in a myriad of ways over the last few decades, so witnessing a third release among these icons from a Los Angeles-based producer/DJ, should immediately raise some eyebrows. Receiving the honor of being indoctrinated into the Tresor family alongside these releases is no small feat, and suddenly the name Isreal Vines is a part of the Tresor lineage.
Much like Tresor itself, Isreal Vines is a producer who aims to push boundaries through the music he puts out. His latest “Voices EP” explores complex and unworldly textures that one might categorize as “post-techno,” bordering on experimental. The first track, “Breaking,” is a loose and chaotic introduction. Sporadic bursts of static convolve with chopped up voices. A broken kick pattern keeps things moving and frequently reverses to add some fluidity to the low-end. At about four minutes in, the track teases a brief moment of silence, only to regroup and play out for another two and a half minutes of textural bliss.
Next is the track “Culling,” a raw and complex dance track that sounds like the DJ bit off more than they can chew, in the best possible way. A bright and delicate pad starts things off, only to be violently disrupted by a cluster of chunky drum loops and repeating breaths. The track builds momentum by adding multiple rhythmical layers at a time, resulting in something futuristic as it is primal. There’s no hesitancy or reluctance toward moving the track forward. Rather than tip-toeing his way toward a climax, Vines unabashedly takes leaps.
The third track, “Downing,” cuts the tempo in half, but continues to explore intricate and mind-boggling rhythmical patterns. A chanting voice is stretched to oblivion, while more ambiguous melodic sounds spiral out of control. Heavily delayed percussive loops violently mesh, while half-time snares bring something new and unexpected to the table. This track, like the previous two, is filled to the brim with painstakingly intricate detail, yet encourages you to simply give in and experience the composition as a whole, as attempting to dissect each layer quickly feels like an infeasible, if not impossible task.
To close things out, Vines, includes three versions of the track “Keeping” from his collaboration with vocal artist Camille Altay. Offering an original mix, an extended cut, and an instrumental version at the end of the EP, Vines provides DJs with some variety, giving them a few options for their sets. While each version offers something different, the extended mix is the most palpable and will likely do wonders on most dance floors, either inside the warehouse or out on the terrace. But if you’re after something more in tune with Vines’ signature, avant-garde sound, look no further than the original version, which gets loose and wild with its unique and explorative drum beats and sinister fills, which are nicely juxtaposed by Atlay’s delicate vocals.
Isreal Vines’ “Voices EP” uses the foundation of techno simply as a vehicle to venture deep into the unknown. “Voices” manages to break free from many of the norms and clichés that exist in the genre, and succeeds in fleshing out the artist’s unique musical voice. Congratulations are in order for Isreal Vines and Tresor, alike. Thirty years of releases, and the label is still putting out cutting-edge electronic music that will inspire generations to come. Support the artist and label with a digital download, linked above. Here’s to another 30 years of Tresor!
-Jeronimo Watson
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