Satoshi Tomiie, the legendary Japanese producer and house music pioneer, continues his masterful exploration of deep, rhythmic textures with the release of 12B Dub, Pt. 3 on Phonogramme. Known globally for his seminal 1989 debut “Tears” alongside Frankie Knuckles, Tomiie has spent decades refining his craft, evolving from the lush, emotive sounds of New York house toward a more stripped-back and hypnotic aesthetic. This four-track EP marks the latest installment in his ongoing collaboration with Phonogramme, an underground French imprint associated with the Syncrophone distribution network. Phonogramme has long been a bastion for high-quality, club-functional electronic music, and by providing a home for Tomiie’s ’12B Dub’ series, they continue to showcase their commitment to impeccable production and timeless underground values.
The 12B Dub, Pt. 3 EP is a masterclass in what can be described as smoked-out dub science. Each track is built upon a foundation of razor-cut percussion and immense low-end pressure, creating a sense of weight and momentum that is essential for the modern dancefloor. ’07 DuB’ opens the record with a steady, driving rhythm that utilizes subtle atmospheric layers to build tension over its duration. In ‘Sixth Floor Underground’, Tomiie leans into a more industrial-informed sound, where the metallic click of the drums interacts perfectly with deep, pulsating bass. ’48 Steps Deep’ lives up to its name, offering a more melodic but still firmly grounded experience, while ‘A36’ closes the release with a display of intricate synth work and persistent, hypnotic loops. Throughout the EP, the use of space and delay is handled with surgical precision, ensuring that the listener remains locked into the groove without the need for unnecessary clutter.
Compared to the earlier installments of the ’12B Dub’ series or Tomiie’s more melodic classic works, Pt. 3 feels like a distillation of his current musical philosophy—one that prioritizes texture and physical impact over traditional song structures. While Part 1 and Part 2 established the groundwork for this deep, dubby direction, this latest offering feels even more focused on the functional possibilities of the club environment. In terms of utility, these tracks are highly versatile tools for any serious DJ; the deep, consistent energy of ’07 DuB’ makes it an ideal choice for a transition or a long, atmospheric build-up, while the more aggressive rhythm of ‘Sixth Floor Underground’ is perfectly suited for a peak-time techno or deep house set. Satoshi Tomiie has once again delivered a future-proof package that reinforces his position as a visionary whose music remains as relevant today as it was over thirty years ago.
