Fluxion – Upsides & Sideways EP

There's a time when I'm looking through my record box trying to find a Basic Channel / Maurizio record (that isn't a Basic Channel / Maurizio record) to layer with another track and make time and space disappear. The Fluxion "Upsides & Sideways" EP is a record that fits into the deep, dubbed out, hypnotic textural space "M Series" records tend to fill, but does so in an Echocord sort of way. This EP is deep as the ocean floor, beautifully arranged and tastefully varied across three distinct tracks. The A side long player, "En Route", is a flawless example of highest quality dub techno, but my favorite track on the EP starts the B side. "The Place" has a clicky breakbeat / heavy shuffle that propels the track forward without depending on a solid 4/4 bass drum for an anchor. Supplementing the midrange rhythm, sub bass is used to fill the void left by sparsely placed bass drums. The chord progression / melody is provided by a vibra / xylophone patch that fits the track well and gives it that extra something special. All of these elements come together to make "The Place" the most "house" sounding track on this release. The final track of this EP is no after thought. "Flick" is defined by a cavern-like ambience that echoes with drips and drops. With eyes closed you can imagine stalactites and stalagmites forming in fast forward while a relaxed rolling rhythm rocks the earth beneath you. This track has the dub dial turned up to a tasteful level. Again, if you are looking for a record that has a similar feel of the Basic Channel / Maurizio records but wants something extra (and modern), Fluxion's "Upsides & Sideways" is quality from start to finish.