7th Plain, The - Astra-Naut-E

X-side, Astra-Naut-E, is the kind of skillfully-produced, lovingly-crafted, expertly-programmed melodic, atmospheric mid-paced listening ambient techno that was very much of its time, but that still sounds great today. Luke Slater was putting out some similarly atmospheric tunes around this time (check 'the Opening' on Djax under his Clementine pseudonym, or 'The Secret Garden' under his own name on Peacefrog, both from around 92-93); quite exemplary antidotes to the more meaty, muscular sound he was pushing at the same time. The above-mentioned three tracks would, in an ideal world, be re-released on one stunning 3-track 12. But, hey, life is never how you want it to be, is it...?