Spacetime Continuum – Double Fine Zone

Artist: Spacetime Continuum

Title: Double Fine Zone

Label: Astralwerks

Rating: 8/10

Astralwerks Records is all about producing techno, and they have a lot to boast about with Spacetime Continuum’s new record, Double Fine Zone. This record is not your typical techno loaded with the same sample, beat after beat. Spacetime Continuum blends in saxophones, mellow keyboard fillers, and flows in many directions by wisely mixing in other smooth drum beats. The record is great for background music; there’s no singing to distract the listener and the techno beats are not annoyingly aggressive. You’ll find nine out of eleven tracks to be spacey and mellow, but not so spacey that you to slip into a coma.

The cover portrait is a highway construction sign showing the name of the album with a blurred image of the traffic shot at high speed. Slip into the third track, “Freezone”, and you’ll feel like you’re driving in a luxury sports car at top speed on a busy highway. The saxophone, steady drum beats, and futuristic keyboard sound never get too techno flashy. This song and the cover allow for a good mental image of what this album is all about.

The use of the saxophone is key and critical to the standout tunes on Double Fine Zone. On “Spin Out” the first sound that will draw you into the song is the sax. The rest of the song will just slowly grow on you. It’s a cool track because the opening stanza has a contemporary music feel but still remains in the realms of true techno by spinning in and out between the two styles. Keep listening to “Spin Out” and you’ll find that it loops right into “One At A Day”. This song has the same kind of vibe. The lush keyboards take control and they are damn good.

Only one track, “Biscuit Face”, is the hardcore clubbing techno that you would expect to hear. Most of the songs for this record are songs to chill with, but “Biscuit Face” is a song to grind out on the dance floor. Another song that could be viewed as dance-techno could be the seven-minute “Microjam”. It has a great base of unified musical rhythm. “Manaka” is another great song.

For anybody with a surround sound stereo, play this album at reasonable volume for an out of body experience, but do not freak out. There are a variety of sounds that flutter in the air like beautiful butterflies. What you hear is what you get with Double Fine Zone.

+larry sarzyniak