Back to Mine With Command Control

Up and coming talent, London-based producer and DJ Command Control has a long-running show on the Komrad internet radio station, a show that houses a treasure trove of unreleased material of his. As he releases his debut 4 track EP, ‘Essence’, via Manual Smiles, which is already winning support from Techno artists like Dave Clarke, The Advent, IMOGEN and Gabriella Vergilov, DMCWorld go Back To Mine With Command Control.

Brendon Moeller – Yeoville – (album)

I stumbled upon this record going through somebody’s Bandcamp purchases – I was really intrigued by the album artwork. The music lives up to the luscious artwork; it’s very tranquil and ethereal with lots of textural flourishes and reverb/delay throws.

Evigt Morker – Hogre

‘Hogre’ is a relatively recent track in the dub-techno genre, but potentially one of it’s best. It’s more accessible than some of the foundational releases by Basic Channel, but just as deep and uncompromising in its commitment to the style. Those opening chords that melt into an ice cold yet comforting slush of delay and reverb give me the chills every time I hear them.

Dave Angel – Original Man

I first heard this track about a year ago during a Josey Rebelle set at FOLD. It’s pretty rare that something completely stops me in my tracks these days, but I immediately turned to the person next to me and asked them if they knew what it was. They didn’t, so I snuck a cheeky Shazam. “Hope” is the best way of describing the way this song makes me feel.

Rhythm & Sound – We Been Troddin

Basic Channel take on dub & reggae to tremendous effect. There’s a great SoundCloud mix called “A Tribute To Basic Channel” where you can hear many of these Rhythm & Sound tracks as well as music from their other aliases.

FKA Twigs – M3LL155X

FKA Twigs is a phenomenal singer with so much dynamism technically, as well as emotionally. The production on ‘M3LL155X’ is also groundbreaking for an R&B record in my opinion, no four bars are the same! Whenever I listen to it I find myself taking notes on what effects and techniques are being used in the production (when I’m not being gut punched by the lyrics anyways).

Deftones. Something heavier – Cherry Waves

I’m a big Deftones fan and love most of the albums in their back catalogue. They are masters at contrasting aggression with sensuality. As I’ve gotten more into electronic music over the years I’ve really come to appreciate Frank Delgado’s synth work and sound design on their records as well. I love the contrast between the serene, rolling soundscape of the verses on this track with the enveloping wall of guitars in the choruses.

Meat Grinder – Madvillain (album)

I used to try and rap along to this record with a friend walking back from school in the afternoons. I’m terrible at hearing/remembering lyrics and don’t have a natural sense of rhythm (bodes well for my music…), so I used to make a right pig’s ear of it, but we’d have a right good laugh doing so. R.I.P MF DOOM!

Crosses – Crosses (album)

I just had to squeeze another one of Chino Moreno’s projects on here. I still listen to this record 10 years on from its release, it’s got lots of industrial and gothic leanings whilst remaining an accessible pop record. I always stick this on when I’m at home cooking.

Machinedrum – She Died There – (album)

This album was my introduction to footwork. It’s not really a club record per se though, it’s very melancholic and textural.

Andy Stott – Faith In Strangers

I have a very fond memory from 2017 listening to this track. I’d just had a break up at the time, and I went out to Fabric to commiserate with some friends. I left just before sunrise and listened to this track a few times on my headphones whilst walking up Charterhouse Street towards Holborn to catch the first train home. At the time I found the track so wistful yet accepting. It’s been a regular feature of my post-club ritual ever since.

Command Control ‘Essence’ is out now on Manual Smiles.

https://www.beatport.com/release/essence-ep/4523933