RECLINE By Hot Dub Time Machine: Just Takin’ It Easy ~ Adelaide Fringe 2021 Review

[MUSIC/Electronic ~ WORLD PREMIERE ~ AUS] The Spiegeltent at The Garden Of Unearthly Delights, Mon 1 Mar. Usually a show by Hot Dub Time Machine is the most fun dance party ever with giant screens, balloon drops, confetti, huge audiences and 60 years of dancefloor bangers delivered in an exuberant explosion of movement. During this last year of COVID times, Hot Dub main man Tom Lowndes has created something very different with RECLINE. It is a very lovely something. RECLINE is not a dance show but is a chill out show. In the era of ‘90s raves when people had been dancing like maniacs all night, there would often be the after after show, chill out or come down party, the idea being the kind of ‘soft landing’ for people. So RECLINE is more of a musical journey, that is more about vibe and immersion than bombast. Inspired by trip hop artists like DJ Shadow, it is specifically designed to submerge yourself in a virtual musical floatation tank, to wind down and bask in the sounds and videos so skilfully structured by Tom. Creating soundscapes and unexpected musical marriages RECLINE starts off kind of dark and becomes bright and joyful as we go along. Throughout there are appearances by Bjork, Massive Attack, Ennio Morricone, John Lennon, Coldplay – all smoothed together live by Lowndes on four decks. The inclusion of virtuoso jazz saxophonist Matt Keegan added some excellent depth and colour to our trip. The phrase ‘live jazz saxophone’ might possibly strike fear into the hearts of some, but he isn’t noodling over everything (as some jazz cats might be tempted to do), and his contribution to proceedings is stellar and understated. Taking the lead in a few tracks like Radiohead’s Pyramid Song and Groove Armada’s At The River. At one point Bicep’s Glue serves as a bed for Ben Folds’ Brick, while footage of Tom playing with his daughters provides utterly delightful visuals. RECLINE is a very different beast to your ‘regular’ Hot Dub offering, but richly rewarding if you are looking for a different start to your night. There are only five shows of this World Premiere debut. Go on, take a load off and slip into a lovely warm bath of great beats and tunes. Licensed to Chill. Ian Bell 4.5 stars RECLINE: By Hot Dub Time Machine continues at The Spiegeltent at The Garden Of Unearthly Delights from 6.30pm until Tue 16 Mar. Book at FringeTix on 1300 621 255 or adelaidefringe.com.au. Click HERE to purchase your tickets. #ADLfringe #ClotheslineMag