Heinrich Dressel – Lurking Underwater
Heinrich Dressel sounds like he should be hidden away in a laboratory working on a top-secret astrophysics project, but in reality he’s an Italian electro producer whose real name is Valerio Lombardozzi. Responsible for an impressive six albums so far, Dressel is most closely associated with his Minimal Rome label, although he traces his roots way back to the early ’90s illegal rave scene in the Italian capital.
This release on Croatian label Barba sees him move away from the close-knit Roman scene, and it’s a key record both for Dressel and electro music in general. Rightly or wrongly, one of the main criticisms thrown regularly at the form is that it is too abstract and lacks a dance floor focus. Lurking Underwater sees Dressel almost single-handedly deconstructing that argument.
The title track is a mid-tempo groover, powered by a resonating bass, but also featuring the atmospheric synth work that the Italian producer’s work is synonymous with. A similar approach applies on “Creatures from the Abyss” where warm bass tones underpin sensuous melodies and sub-aquatic textures, but at its heart are understated, crisp kick drums. Both tracks are ideal warm-up material, but Dressel brings the concept to a more dance floor-friendly conclusion on “Dark Lake”.
Razor sharp high hats and steely drums provide the basis for sublime melodic sequences, mysterious synths and a melancholic bass. It’s like a halfway house between Drexciya and Legowelt at his most pensive, and to these ears at least is the best electro track of the year. Tadd Mullinix contributes a remix of the title track under his JTC guise. It’s a fine effort, with the US producer stripping the original back to a warbling acid-tinged groove that has shades of DBX, but it’s overshadowed by the masterful “Dark Lake”.
Richard Brophy
Tracklisting:
A1. Lurking Underwater
A2. Dark Lake
B1. Lurking Underwater” (JTC remix)
B2. Creatures From The Abyssus