Alienating, metallic chords, dubbed out mechanic noise and deep pulsating rhythms dominate the soundtrack of the future. Basic Channel have always inspired a vision of post-nuclear dystopia in me - an impression supported by cracking noises that sound like Geiger-counters, diverse motives used on the sparse, classic artwork as well as some of the names related to the label ("Radiance", "Chain Reaction"), but is basically very difficult to outline properly.

Here's a Techno label that became legendary without releasing zillions of faceless, artistically dispensable records. Without pushing it over decades, celebrating itself. Without forcing a hype with ridiculous political pamphlets. Basic Channel is an imprint that transports its message through the medium of music in place of colourful, comic-like label stickers. A project that generated aesthetics like they had never existed before or ever would to date - and considering the fact that Techno had been "officially" invented years before Mark Ernestus and Moritz von Oswald came up with their concept, it surprises even more that their work still amazes (and astonishes) as much today as it probably did when it was made (unlike other artists'). Then again, after all we're talking about music that seemingly emerged out of nowhere (mentioning Reggae-Dub as an influence is fair but only semi-convincing). While early Techno pioneers from Detroit obviously had their roots practically everywhere (from Funk to Kraftwerk via House, if you want), Basic Channel came up with a completely independent, idiophonic idea of this artform. Maybe this is the reason why Basic Channel sounds more like Techno than anything else? Maybe this explains why none of the countless artists who blatantly plagiarised their sound never even remotely succeeded in producing a credible imitation, even now, up to 15 years later...?

Also one of the greatest things about the project from Berlin is the way it presented itself. Only a handful of entirely anonymous releases (which are still being manufactured) were published and even though the imprint followed a strict, concise concept its catalog impresses with an amazing variety - from quiet, pensive Ambient to somewhat inciting 4/4 Techno. So when everything was said after only a few years, Ernestus and von Oswald did the only consequent thing credible artists could do in such a situation: they retired. And left us with some of the best music in time.

These are the pioneers of clustering minimal techno/house rhythms into dubby environment. Anyone who had listen to B.C. tracks (especially those collected as legendary "Basic Channel" CD) will appreciate the crew's stunning efforts and creativity in making something which will later become a 'Basic Channel' genre. Generally unclassifiable but always recognizable, von Oswald & Ernestus became one of the few landmarks in electronica scene. I found this hidden treasure while listening to one of the TRESOR editions, where Oswald appeared with Thomas Fehlmann, behind the self-titled track "Schizophrenia"; just listen to those shimmering sounds and you'll know why B.C enjoys the status of techno-dub-ambient superstars. If only I could get a chance to watch them alive!

this label was my first real introduction to minimal and dubby techno. the phylyps trak and quadrant dub ep's did it for me and still both remain all time classics to me. basic channel was a heavy influence on me and still is today. the label has raised a sort of standard that few can rival. they pushed the boundaries of sound and influenced a whole genre of music. i love pretty much everything associated with basic channel, as well as chain reaction and burial mix stuff. this music is in a classification all its own. solid music that will remain timeless in my opinion.

Well, this is THE label which puts dub and techno together
in a singularly way. Things are changing slowly in a kind of monotone & minimal beat, dub elements will appear and disappear. An acoustic experience for those who loves this music. Avantgarde. Listen also Maurizio, Burial Mix, Chain Reaction...