Search - Dave Seaman :: Renaissance Masters Series, Vol. 10: Dave Seaman

Dave's most personal, intense, driven and brilliant work in

LexAffection | Philadelphia, PA USA | 03/11/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Master's Series Part 10 simply has to be Dave Seaman's most cohesive, polished and inspired double-mix album since, though perhaps a stretch, his groundbreaking opus - The Master's Series Part 1 (2000's Awakening). Given the quality of the aforementioned album, such a bold statement has not been made in haste. The music, however, clearly speaks for itself.



The first disc expands upon the modernized electro-house theory Seaman presented us on the fourth "Therapy Sessions." The tracklist is peppered with exciting new tracks and well-respected artists. Moreover, disc one finally finds Seaman adhering to a purposeful and determinable path; many, including myself, would argue that the first Therapy Sessions disc marked a several-year period of inspirational complacency for Dave. 2005's TS was a rightfully decent mix, though unremarkable - and 2006's TS fared little well amongst Dave Seaman loyalists. The selling point for disc one of the latest Master's series is smooth resilience; a dream made musical. Near-flawless mixing cements together fragments of beautiful and esoteric waves of sound. Seaman is back in control; on tracks such as Fairmeont's "I Need Medicine" and Dusty Kid's "Cowboys," he displays his unique craftsmanship that captures the ear and does not surrender to scrutiny. Seaman signals his triumphant return by bending sounds as though they were elastic bands before segueing into delicious body-wriggling bass. Contemporary selections, including those from Gui Boratto, Wally Lopez, Samim, Sasha, MOS and Underworld, reveals modern electronica's deepest secrets whilst keeping them whisper-quiet. The quality of Dave's composition even fiercely rivals that of the preceding Master's Series - which is itself indeed a masterpiece. Disc one is a superb and diversely crafted hands-on approach at gracefully welding together those aspects of World music, electro-house, tribal grooves and unimaginably deep lo-fi bass that would, by any other hand, conflict. Instead of discord, Seaman strikes harmony through sexy elements of electronica from all over the musical map, weaving a haunting and tasteful tapestry that captures both the mind and body in sensual motion.



Dave Seaman makes his most unique album-entrance on disc two with Johannes Heil's "The Coming." Each tribal drumbeat oozes with feeling and sweet pretense. The track compounds slowly, creeping along with the tension until the flood gates break and the nasty synth-and-bass grooves of Tim Deluxe's "You Got Tha Touch" (Martin Buttrich Vox Mix) whisp away the ambience in favor of a wholly tripped out techno ride around pitch increases, melodic fades and buttery-smooth four-to-the-floor kick. Disc two no longer represents pop rocks and caffeine; what has for Seaman traditionally been the after-dinner glass of Port has transformed into a second meal with its own distinct flavor and an attitude all its own. As bass resonates and spoons tap glass, "Trip to Amaltea" and "Deadman" allow the vibe to wax extraterrestrial (and with astounding grace!). Seaman's clubbier disc takes me back to "Awakening;" a dark, moody, brooding cataclysm of tamed energy gathers, wrenches and unfolds before your very ears. The forceful kickdrum powers forward like the boots of marching soldiers; strings cascade to and fro, seemingly listless - until you feel your heart pounding. Tracks by the likes of Popof, Sol & Grimm, Oliver Huntermann (with Meat Katie, D Ramirez and Odissi), Rekorder, Solaris Heights and Umek steam past with frightening elegance. Remember Dave's face, because it is behind the disc's every internal movement. Disc two is a marvelous and abysmal proclamation of sinister energy; it cannot be missed.



Dave's most personal, intense, driven and brilliant work in six years. The Master's Series Part 10 finds itself the subject in the most superbly driven mind experiment, and is brimming with some of the purest electronica to be found today.



~ Lex"