Sabresonic (remastered) – Warp LP 16 R

The seminal Sabresonic from UK trio Sabres of Paradise gets a tight remaster and re-issue here, and what a magnificent snapshot of the halcyon days of UK raving it is. Considering the personnel behind the project), it’s little surprise that the music has lost none of its cutting edge, still sounding as fresh and pointed as it did upon first release in 1994. Known for their unique blend of electronic, dub and rock influences, the band carved out a space that felt both experimental and accessible, and it would be hard to overstate their lasting influence on modern electronic music.

Sabresonic stretches from hypnotic grooves to raw, industrial textures, with moments of beauty scattered throughout. ‘RSD’ (short for Red Stripe Dub) is a standout, harking back to the carnival-influnced West London sounds of Renegade Soundwave and Depth Charge, while ‘Clock Factory’ – a highlight iof the recently reformed crew’s live shows – points the way to where they were headed on the ghostly second album Haunted Dancehall. But it’s ‘Smokebelch II (Beatless mix)’ that’s likely to bring a tear to the eye of even the most hardened dancefloor veteran, with its bittersweet lead melody and celestial harmonics combining to create a timeless piece of ambient bliss. They don’t make ‘em like they used to, that’s for sure.