With a techno revival in full swing, most of the attention has been lavished on the re-emergence of Luke Slater. However Kirk Degiorgio’s role in the early UK techno scene and beyond shouldn’t go unnoticed. Alongside Black Dog Productions, B12, Steve Pickton and others, he helped to develop a uniquely British take on what Detroit had introduced them to. What set Degiorgio apart from his counterparts was an upbringing and deep found appreciation for black music forms extending beyond the solely electronic dance format and into the jazz and soul landscape. His encyclopedic knowledge and deep love of older jazz, funk and boogie informed much of what came after his initial techno releases and allowed him to explore those influences in more honest ways. Degiorgio’s multiple albums under the As One alias have provided thrilling moments exploring modal jazz arrangements fused with electronic elements (Planetary Folklore, Elegant Systems and The Message In Herbie’s Shirts), while he hasn’t shied away from song-based soul excursions either. His recent influx of releases, starting with “Jitter World” on Abstract Forms and now “Mass” (the first new material on his newly re-launched ART imprint in 15 years), sees Degiorgio returning to his production roots in prime techno terms, plain and simple.
“Mass” starts off with a title track that is an ostensible foray into the dub techno realm. Its charged hi-hat swing, digital pulsations and crashing cymbals create an urgency belying the genre’s typically sluggish traits. The decay/reverb-enveloped stabs and dubby bass line tug at each other creating a seesaw battle that propels it forward and should make it a natural for club play. Even more intense is the densely crafted techno stormer, “Dipole.” The foundation is a bricklayer of compressed bass, crackling percussion and solid kicks, accentuated by moody synth layering and staccato blip figures. By comparison, “Decoherent” is downright mild. Slinking bass and a series of finespun synths, coated by a sustained chord with a bassoon-like timbre, lead its melodic structuring. It’s pure emotive Detroit techno but done Degiorgio’s way. With upcoming releases planned for Planet E and B12, Degiorgio’s relevancy couldn’t be more certain.
