by John Bush
The debut Theorem full-length is a set of seven lengthy techno dub pieces (collected from previous singles), just slightly more upbeat than material by labelmate Plastikman and conceptual compatriots at Berlin's Chain Reaction label. Like those artists, Ion is a very spatial recording; the timbres are predominantly faraway and echoing. Lawrence begins &Shift& by sampling passing cars while several tracks evoke the brittle sound of trains rumbling. Though the basslines are heavy and repetitive like dub, they move just a bit too slow to conjure up visions of Augustus Pablo or Lee &Scratch& Perry. Most often, Ion evokes a photographic negative of house music: all the melodies removed, with only the four-four beat and some 808 percussion left to fill the void.