Stimming
Reflections
(Dynamic Music)
In an electronic music era over-saturated with dilettante bedroom
producers and prosaic cookie-cutter dance tracks, Martin Stimming
stands as a bold innovator with a musicianship and sound uniquely his
own. A relative newcomer to the international minimal scene, this
Hamburg resident has been gaining steady praise since 2007 with a
series of consistently compelling releases and intense live performances
around the world.
The genius of his production style is marked by both a classical
melodic sensibility and a technical reverence that is as traditional as
it is cutting-edge. Stimming is an avant-garde artist in the best -and
least pretentious- sense of the term: wildly imaginative,
self-reflective (without taking himself too seriously) and unafraid of
taking the type of risks that threaten to alienate listeners but end up
winning them over by sheer force of originality. He is no more techno
than Aphex Twin or Matthew Herbert are techno, in that these artists
all reach far beyond the parameters of conventional EDM production,
using field recordings and mad studio science to defy all
expectations.
I'm going to venture the presumption that alot of critics will find
his debut artist album "Reflections" a bit dull, because, despite the
accepted notion that he produces dance music, this stuff is decidedly
more intelligent, cultivated and profound than your average dancefloor
fare. There are no instantly-gratifying club bangers here, but there
are plenty of thought-provoking and emotionally-resonant compositions
meant to be savored slowly at home.
Stimming continues his exploration of scattered world rhythms,
organic textures and moody ambience over a series of 11 tracks that,
while staying true to his signature hip-swinging prerogative, also
offer more by way of emotional depth. "After Eight" is a funny little
charmer with vaguely ethnic stuttering vocal snippets and insistent
rhythms, quirky and refreshing. "The Loneliness" -in typical Stimming
fashion- surprises and amuses with its unconventional sampling of an
old-time blues harmonica (only he could get away with harmonica on a
"techno" production) and bittersweet lyrical vocals. Standout track
"The Beauty" builds up gently from blurry minimal textures into a
heart-wrenching and emotive chord-driven melodic statement. For a debut album
"Reflections" is highly promising and distinguishes Mr. Stimming
as an artist who will most likely stand the test of time and continue
to push the envelope.
