- Scion Versions have upped the ante with their fourth release. Timeless and eternal as the phases of the moon, 'Libration'/'Resonance' sees Substance and Vainqeuer at their best with two direct and detailed tracks which prove that, despite the seemingly hermetic nature of the productions, the Scion sound world is evolving with subtle expansions.
When René Löwe first collaborated with fellow Hard Wax member Peter Kuschnereit for the first Chain Reaction record as Scion in 1995, the duo's sound became a blueprint for the innovative label. As their separate contributions to Chain Reaction accumulated, Substance’s (Peter Kuschnereit, DJ Pete) few releases were defined by their direct dancefloor orientation, while Vainqueur (René Löwe) became better known for tracks like 'Elevation' that focus on sequencing and synths rather than percussion. Together, these two are a formidable combination, as these balanced tracks demonstrate.
Building from the formula that’s still working after well over ten years, 'Libration' glides through a spacious intro and builds with upfront beats that are signature Substance. Dub delays are pushed into spacious, metallic echoes, while a distant horn glimmers from the oceanic end of dubstep, faintly signalling common ancestry. The B-side flips directly into 4/4, propelled by crisp high-hats, layered chord stabs refracted with decay, and meticulously crafted atmospherics that are even more vivid with texture than we’ve come to expect; these are analogue textures that expand the internal space. Scion have used their classic pads and delay template to make two bigger, richer tracks that are, as always, much more than the sum of their techniques.
TracklistA Libration
B Resonance