Part 1 of the Drexciya re-issue series! A new repress of the Journey Of The Deep Sea Dweller series by Drexciya!! It comes with new artwork by critically acclaimed American artist Ellen Gallagher, who created a series of paintings titled Watery Ecstatic, inspired by Drexciya’s music – which she discovered while immersed in the mid-’90s New York techno scene. Now partly based in New York and Rotterdam, the connection was easily made. Her Watery Ecstatic series serves as the inspiration for the covers of this new edition of Journey Of The Deep Sea Dweller, with embossed artwork offering a tactile, physical complement to Drexciya’s immersive sound world. Drexciya needs no introduction for most – it’s one of the most influential projects in techno history. But for some, this might serve as an entry point into their sonic universe and the broader (Detroit) techno culture. Their music emerged from a harsh environment, and it shows – raw, uncompromising, and boundary-pushing. Drexciya redefined Detroit techno like no one else. Their unique sound and mythical aesthetic made them a true cult phenomenon. Guided by Mad Mike Banks of Underground Resistance, their early releases were works of art in themselves. Drexciya stands for the darker, deeper edges of techno and electro – not just club music, but a profound extension of the mind and spirit. Twenty years after the release of Deep Sea Dweller (their debut), and ten years after Grava 4 (their final album), we’ve released Journey Of The Deep Sea Dweller – an almost complete collection of their early works, remastered from the original tapes. Since the original releases – on labels like Underground Resistance – had such a strong identity and still stand on their own, this reissue doesn’t aim to recreate that magic. Instead, we’ve stirred up the catalogue, taking the tracks out of their original context to give the ‘in-the-know’ listener a fresh experience, and the new listener a perfect introduction to Drexciya’s sonic universe. Enjoy the ride!
