Reflective 1993-2000 by Soultek: A Dub Techno Masterclass That Punches Hard
Let’s cut the crap—this album slaps. Released in 2013 on Echospace [Detroit], Reflective 1993-2000 is a time capsule of raw, unfiltered Dub Techno that smacks you right in the soul. Stephen Hitchell, the mastermind behind it all (writing, producing, probably even microwaving his coffee), delivers something so gritty and hypnotic it feels like Detroit itself is whispering in your ear. And yeah, it’s not just music; it’s an experience.
The genre? Electronic. The style? Dub Techno. But calling this "just another techno record" would be like saying Picasso only painted pictures. Tracks like “Fallen Frequency” and “Back To Detroit” stick out like sore thumbs—not because they’re bad, but because they’re damn unforgettable.
Take “Fallen Frequency,” for example. It’s dark, brooding, and hits you with layers of sound that feel like walking through fog at 3 AM. You can almost hear the grit of the streets beneath your feet. The bassline doesn’t just thump—it growls, man. This track grabs hold of you and refuses to let go until you’ve felt every ounce of its melancholy vibe. It’s the kind of song that makes you wanna sit alone in a dimly lit room, staring into space while thinking about life choices. Brutal yet beautiful.
Then there’s “Back To Detroit.” Holy hell, does this one slap harder than most people deserve. If you’ve ever been to Detroit—or even if you haven’t—you’ll get why this track nails it. It’s got that industrial heartbeat mixed with a warm, nostalgic undertone. The rhythm locks you in, and suddenly you’re grooving whether you want to or not. It’s as if Hitchell took the city’s essence and bottled it up into seven minutes of pure magic. By the end, you’re left sweating, slightly disoriented, but totally satisfied.
Other tracks like “Soultwist” and “Live In Detroit” keep the energy flowing without overstaying their welcome. There’s no filler here—every beat counts, every note matters. Even quieter moments like “For The Lonely” pack an emotional punch that sneaks up on you when you least expect it.
Now here’s the kicker: despite being released in 2013, this album feels timeless. Like, if aliens landed tomorrow and asked us what human emotion sounds like, we could throw this album at them and call it a day. Sure, it’s aggressive and moody, but it also has heart. Lots of it.
So, final thoughts? Reflective 1993-2000 isn’t just an album—it’s a gut punch wrapped in velvet. Listening to it feels like stepping into a dream where shadows dance and echoes sing. Or maybe it’s just some dude named Stephen messing with our heads from his basement studio. Either way, it works.
Oh, and one last thing: if you don’t feel anything after hearing this, check your pulse. You might actually be dead.
Rating: 9/10
