Martin Stimming, along with his Dynamic Soloman, has been quietly going about the business of becoming a very influential player in the twin worlds of house and techno. Partly accredited for helping burst the minimal bubble with his trademark low-slung, deep grooves, the softly-spoken German has for some time been the discerning hipster's namecheck of choice. So its with something approaching white-hot expectation that his debut artist album has to contend with.
Having such and instantly identifiable sound - as Stimming does - can be something of a help and hinderance. It's easy to spot a Stimming track within seconds, but whether the formula can be succesfully sustained over the course of an album, rather than a floor-geared EP, is another matter altogether.
Funnily enough, 'Reflections' has the feeling of being a super-size EP rather than an album. And that's no bad thing. What you're getting for your money is ten tracks which are geared more towards afterhours dancefloors than home listening. That's not to say that it doesn't work in regards to the latter - Stimming's productions have more warmth and subtle, incessant 'oomph' to them than your average producer's output, and when he hits the right notes, it really is wonderful.
Opening double salvo of 'Sunday Morning' (customary Stimming: twitchy, loose funk reaching an eyebrow-raising widescreen breakdown before slipping back into its groove sets the tone, while 'After Eight' is unmistakeable daylight fayre. The pitched-up vocal snippet has the potential to polarise opinion, though.
From there on in, it's a mixture of strong rythmn and not a great deal of variation on the tried and tested formula. Album centrepiece 'The Loneliness', which along with the shimmering 'The Beauty' is easily the most ambitous moment, features not only a harmonica blast which could have the listener thinking they've somehow woken up on D-Wing of Penn State Penitenary and a bombastic male vocal performance, but a succession of bong-like bubbling noises which sound like an uncredited Cypress Hill guest appearance. It's so crazy that it just about works.
Those expecting fireworks from one of the scene's most exciting recent talents might come away from 'Reflections' feeling a little dissapointed. But as a collection of understated, masterfully executed - not to mention intelligent - club music, this is bang on the money.
