Classically trained Evan Bartholomew (aka Bluetech, aka Evan Marc) is a rare talent and one of the true masters of electronic music. The ambient downtempo dub of Sines and Singularities from 2005 is an all-time favorite of mine. Evan's output has been varied, also touching base in tech house and abstract long-form compositions, but Love Songs to the Source is quite a different kettle of fish. It's almost a straight ahead dub album. I initially found this a bit disappointing since I had been looking forward to that classic Bluetech sound. But on second and third listens, the music began to insinuate itself into my cranium.
There's no denying that, true to form, this is a killer album. "Dread Inna Babylon" and "Counting Out Stones" are the type of songs that feel like they should have been around forever, featuring a loping reggae vibe with hooks that immediately latch on. On the latter, the presence of the horn section of The March Fourth Marching Band authenticates the deep dub groove. And in another new twist for Bluetech, both songs feature full-blown vocal performances by Dr. Israel, "a vocalist, producer, engineer, actor and revolutionary based in Brooklyn, New York", according to the good doctor's website.
There are three other 'proper' songs on the album, two sung by Katrina Blackstone and one by Lynx. A number of tracks also feature atmospheric wordless vocal contributions from Mari Boine, Lady K and Tina Malia. (There are also musical contributions from the KiloWatts and Jamie Janover.)
It's a sizable leap from the intricate and blissfully spacious ambience of Sines and Singularities. But in hindsight, Evan has been making his way down this path over the past year or two. The beats on last year's The Divine Invasion were boxier and more earthbound than before. And then, seeking to break out of the confines of pure laptop production, he formed a live band named Sartori Social that includes among others Blackstone, a jazz trained vocalist from New York City.
In the end, despite the heavier emphasis on deep dub and the more structured vocal songs, the finely nuanced Bluetech touch shines through on tracks like the excellent "Green Sophia" and "Two River Sisters". In Evan's words, "Love Songs to the Source is an audio exploration of the spark of divine light that oscillates in the heart of every being." That may seem like mumbo jumbo to some but the fact is that Evan has the rare talent of being able to reach beneath the surface and tap into something deep within. At its core, his music is soul music.
Hear audio samples here.
I think, I might be wrong, but you might like this by SubMachena too, way cool dub:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBIIHQyEUkE
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