Packed with tunes only previously available on vinyl, the Triple-O Collection gathers together a selection of classics from Out of Orbit's vaults from 2004-2007. A dark, dubby and intricately funky slice of musical history it's a compilation not to be missed by anyone with the slightest interest in the genesis and growth of techno, deep house and tech-house.
Copenhagen-based Martin Swanstein, aka Martinez, sets the tone in his inimitable 'cosmic house' style, interweaving layers of harmonic lines that both move the body and dazzle the mind. The Out of Orbit label boss provides three further highlights from his catalogue, including 'Wadi-hiking' and 'Minimal Deepness', each one of them masterclasses in the art of working intricate variations around a relentless groove.
Classic releases from newcomers who went on to become big names abound - including both sides of Trentemøller's floor-smashing 'Beta Boy' 12", Jussi-Pekka's celestial 'Stereo interleaved' and the ethereal chimes of 'The Cloudpainter' by Babiczstyle-founder and filmmaker Robert Babicz. But the collection also rescues a number of gems from obscurity by artists who blossomed for a moment before fading out of sight. Mars Fellows and Phil Stump echo Martinez's abstract machine-funk. Each rolls out an ambient soundscape on which he floats a brittle, bubbling groove. Felix Houzer, Reynold, Cantrip People, Lowtek Soundsystem and Nima Gorji all explore dub techno territory that's dense, booming and deeply spacious.
Later, Martinez would turn his attention to more stripped-down, minimal techno via sub label Re:connected, but for a while he presided over a magical moment at Out of Orbit - a flourishing that's captured here in all its unabashed glory.