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Mirror Music - The Strange Things I'll Remember (Darkroom Dubs)
UK release date: 27 October 2008
3.5 stars
Mirror Music - The Strange Things I'll Remember

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track listing

1. Diabolus In Musica
2. Strange Things I'll Remember
3. Medicine
4. Gateway
5. Midnight Sun
6. Rack And Ruin
7. Sea Of Tranquility
8. Gravity Groove
9. Sight Unseen
10. Fun
11. Pretty Toastie Girl
It's no surprise to find Mirror Music are biologically related to Silicone Soul, founders of Soma's Darkroom Dubs offshoot. That they make similar music is true, but that's down to Graeme Reedle, signed on loan to partner long-time friend Dave Donaldson.

If you're familiar with the Darkroom sound you'll know to expect a versatile approach that works equally well on the nocturnal stereo playlist as it does in a dark underground club. A list of DJs taking an interest in their music is revealing, from Laurent Garnier and John Digweed to Fergie and new kid on the block Deadmau5, they've got each end of the house spectrum seemingly sewn up.

With all basses covered, as it were, everything that makes Silicone Soul work is present and correct, though the shades of colour are often given a bit more charcoal. And if anything the overall production of Mirror Music is more intense, drawing on Donaldson's years of experience in the same studio as fellow Glaswegian Craig Armstrong. String arrangements are taut, not slushy, while cool keyboards dress the outer edges of the sound.

Diabolus In Musica sets the scene, an atmospheric introduction of scope and stature, and when the title track kicks in everything is present and correct. Danceable beat? Check. Complementary bass line? On the money. Vocals? No - Reedle and Donaldson say all they need to say with instruments. There's a good flow from one track to the other, too, taking their approach half way to a mix album.

Just occasionally the duo attempt to branch out from their deep groove, with mixed results - the bass line of Gravity Groove brings to mind 1990s acid jazz, and while it's funky you sense a false brightness that doesn't sit too comfortably with the rest of the record.

Far better is Sight Unseen, reaffirming their signature deep, driving house, this one featuring an effective climbing bass line that builds the intensity. They definitely sound best when pumping more iron with athletic, danceable grooves.

If you've been a bit partial to Silicone Soul then there's no need to pull in the purse strings here - for an evocation of night time Glasgow Mirror Music do a fine job. And if that might not sound such an appealing prospect, their images have far more beauty than you might expect.

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