Soma has never been just a techno label. Looking back over the years, it seems as though the Scottish imprint has always retained and subsequently exhibited its desire for releasing music with a bit of adventure about it. This year, perhaps more than ever, has seen the imprint delve deeper than usual into that leftfield realm (look no further than The Black Dog for evidence). Hatikvah's In the Spirit continues this trend, a rare release on the label best described as dub techno.
With the EP, the German duo follow a rather strong line of dub cuts to have seen release so far this year. They hold their own. Just. "In the Spirit" is a banger. There's a short and heavy analogue bassline that controls the show with a continuous loop, paired only with a stifled kick drum. There's no doubting the track's dance floor functionality, and the whispering vocals and clanging digital samples should keep the most attentive headphone listener interested. But in the September of a year that is already looking like one of dub techno's best, it comes off a little flat.
Rod Modell of DeepChord provides two reworkings (with one more to come in 2011 apparently as well). The first, labeled the "Kinematic Mix" extends the original and takes it deeper, eliminating the thick bassline and chopping the vocals to beyond recognition. The second interpretation, "A Balmy Night Mix," does away with whatever club-friendly element the first contained, putting together a kick-less excursion into tribal dub.
Buy Hatikvah - In the Spirit at
  
Tracklist: Hatikvah - In the Spirit
 01. In the Spirit
02. In the Spirit (Rod Modell | Deepchord - Kinematic Mix)
03. In the Spirit (Rod Modell | Deepchord - A Balmy Night Mix)
04. In the Spirit (Acapella)
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