Function / O/V - Substance Vol. 1 FLAC

David Sumner has come a long way. Really long way. Through barbed wire and thorns, he's now at the forefront of Europe's techno militia. But there was a time... A time when he was the first - and the only - foreigner to record for the prestigious (and idiosyncratic) Birmingham power house Downwards. The more seasoned listeners will remember the awesome Portion Reform project he participated in with Regis. Simultaneously he was building a titanium steel reputation as an underground goliath via a string of impressive slabs of wax on his own independent Infrastructure New York imprint.
He would then gain more and more space under the spotlight due to his involvement with the highly respected Sandwell District collective. Eventually, that would land him an album deal with the successful Ostgut Ton Berlin based label. Not only that, but somewhere in the mix, he also became a resident DJ at the Berghain. Quite a journey I'd say. Bravo Function, bravo!

All that said, however, pales in comparison to a single moment in time. A particular instance in his recording career. Yes, Montage. As versatile and rich as his musical output may be, his credentials are cemented with this piece alone. A benchmark in the whole insdutrial techno spectrum, not a living soul has anything on this monster. Lo-fi, subterranean and rugged. Yes, time had it that many imitated, but none equalled. These days, at times, the whole industrial bandwagon seems to be on autopilot. As though there was a guide book on how to compose it. Not this one. The tracks sounds like Function was out on a mission to record the soundtrack to an earthquake obliterating New York. The long, hauntiung intro is like a forecast of an accident just wanting to happen, and when the percussion kicks in - time's up. Proper darkness, without tricks or gimmicks. If you have not ever heard it played in real time, I can hardly describe the feeling of standing in the middle of the room, and letting the punishing bass line send ripples through your tormented body. It's just tidal wave after tidal wave of warehouse menace overpowering your frame. Unbelievable experience. The only, let's call it a setback, of this peerless tune, is that regardless of the path that its maker choses to take in the future, he will probably never outdo what he's done here. Which is in a way quite excellent. Very few individuals involved with techno music will ever be able to tuck such a masterpiece under their belt.

When you say Elijah Wood, I say Frodo. When you speak of basketball, I say Michael Jordan. When you speak of Function's music, I say Montage. Simple as that.

an absolute favorite. a must own!!

kes by o/v is rich with all of the dark atmospherics one could conceive; complete with a pretty tortured vocal element. all backed by a special percussive/mallet arrangement and
underlying track. simply immense.

function really hits a moment with montage as he slipped into [yet again] a different dimension from his other works; and the results are nothing less than illuminated. potent stuff.

packaged beautifully with jacket design/layout from leonard posso.

O/v track is real nice, but how could it compete with Function's 'Montage'?

An atmospheric and intricate masterpiece.
I would go as far as to say - one the finest pieces of techno ever made!

Immensely detailed and dark and magnificent.

Come on Mr Sumner... More of this please!!

Sweet record. Ian j. Richardson brings his typical sound.
But Sumner DAMN! rough, low, industrial sound building up to a climax. Classy work.