Dub always has a curious way of rattling loose the connections between disparate entities and then binding everything together in viscous bass. New York natives DJ/Rupture and Matt Shadetek bring that approach, if not always those exact sounds, to the selections they threw together while dreaming up Solar Life Raft. Coming together as a DJ mix, but showcasing the two artists’ production skills in numerous ways, this three-turntable odyssey starts and ends in warm echoy places. Along the way Rupture and Shadetek highlight an array of fellow artists at the exciting fringes of their hometown’s many music scenes. Traditional dub is deep at this mix’s core but the sounds wander freely and the narrative easily incorporates off-center spoken words from Caroline Bergvall, modern classic abstractions from Nico Muhly and touches of musique concrete from Luc Ferrari. UK grime from Mizz Beats and weighty dubstep from the likes of Noah D. and Roommate also find homes within this surprisingly well connected set. Rupture and Shadetek appear throughout the proceedings as more than just conductors, spicing things with their exciting production work for Jahdan Blakkamoore, their renovations to the work of Gang Gang Dance, Shackleton and Telepathe, and plenty of original productions including a collaboration with noted poet Elizabeth Alexander. The mix never strays too far from the rumbling bass, but regularly makes unexpected detours and proves to be a rewarding listen fit for many moods.

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