Micro-reviews: (including some older stuff)
Earthrise.ntone.1 (Instinct) -
A pretty mixed bag, with great tracks from Neotropic and
Hedfunk. The Journeyman stuff doesn't hold a candle to Woob. Probably
worth the $12 or so. Is all of Hedfunk's work this good?
Emit 2000 (Instinct) -
Pretty disappointing performances all-round. Even Woob, who's
full length is a shoe-in for my top ten of 1990's ambient, comes up
short. Two thumbs down.
Trance Europe Express 4 (Volume) -
Batting about .250 here, which is more or less typical of the TEX
series. GREAT track from Vulva (gotta track down that Rephlex 2LP), nice
stuff from Skylab and LFO, and stomping trippy-hop from Rootless (how's
the LP?). Lots of dull acid and some underwhelming jungle. VERY
disappointing track from Depth Charge and annoyingly repetitive track from
the usually impressive D. Moufang.
Macro Dub Infection 1 (Virgin) -
Best of the recent comps. V. nice work from Bedouin Ascent,
Tortoise, Mad Professor, Wagon Christ, Scorn, and Bandalu, as well as
some impressive work by more obscure outfits. Probably worth it for the
Wagon Christ alone. Buy.
Jake Slazenger (Clear) -
Neither shite nor gold. M. Paradinas at his goofiest. Fun
funky stuff and some pseudo-ambient duds. Worth having around.
Locust - Truth is Born of Arguments (Apollo) -
More varied than previous Van Hoen, with some agressive
mechanical stuff and tracks that sound a bit like an updated version of
Hassell and Eno's Possible Musics. Imaginative and technically sharp.
Omicron - Generation and Motion of a Pulse (Instinct) -
Rich and very spacey. As good as any Fax record and more
consistent than Acrocosm. The pick of Instinct's new ambient litter. (I
haven't heard the new Thamelitz or Shaikh yet, though).
Chemical Bros. (Astralwerks) -
Fierce, fierce beats from "Song to the Siren" to "Chemical
Beats." The rest I could do without. (British neo-pop wankery).
Probably worth the price of admission just for the above.
Vibert - Plug 2 (Rising High) -
The best jungle I've heard so far (over Omni Trio, 4 Hero,
Gerald). Flipside "cheesy" deserves its name. I'm still on the fence
about this stuff.
PS: I would like to see more FAX reviews, too, even if they're very brief.
PPS: What's the scoop on the second Woob album? I'm first in line.