[Lunar Disko]

At a time when falling sales dictate that even the most well-known labels have to ensure each release contains a number of killer dance floor tracks, it’s refreshing to hear a record like Shifting Harbour being put out without regard or concern for such issues. The work of Glasgow producer Meschi, Harbour is released on Dublin label Lunar Disko, which, although only eight releases strong, has already released everything from ghetto electro to deep house, plotted through a path that made nods to Drexciyan electro (Submersible Machines) and high-energy Italo (David Vunk). Given the label’s “if it sounds good, release it” ethos thus far, it is hardly surprising that it green-lighted this four-tracker.

Meschi starts the EP with “Sur La Route,” a glorious ambient piece which strikes just the right balance of techno sangfroid and warm melodies. The inevitable comparisons will be made to John Carpenter and Vangelis soundtracks, but this writer feels it stands up in its own right and it should be viewed as a starting point for the rest of the EP. The same kind of dreamy melodies also prevail on “Raining In Here,” but they are more mournful and somewhat reminiscent of Prosumer’s & Murat Tepeli’s “Serenity,” a likeness that is enhanced by the subtle, crisp drums. Meschi finally makes a full move towards the dance floor with “East Coast Way.” The often imitated but rarely equaled Chicago kettle drums underscore the arrangement, but instead of trotting out a bog standard acid line, Meschi drops rave whistles (remember them?) and the kind of lush but somewhat eerie pads that used to be Detroit’s staple — check the Emotions Electric compilation for ample evidence. It’s only as the EP reaches its end point does Meschi decide to move up a few gears. “Silent Streets” is tougher than the rest of the EP thanks to heavy snares and a punishing bass line, but even here the ghosts of Detroit techno past are audible and the eerie synths of early Carl Craig projects like Psyche loom into earshot. It brings to an end a varied, artistically adventurous EP from Meschi and notches up another devil may care release from Lunar Disko. Hopefully, it will also have a more fundamental effect and will serve to inspire other artists and labels to release what feels right as opposed to what works in monetary terms.