Up until last week I had my three favourite albums of the year all lined
for my idm vote o' '96. These being Orbital, Black Dog, and Scala. But as
luck would have it, two purchases in the last five days have blown that
to hell and back with the funkmeter jammed on high. So,
Global Goon: (Rephlex 038LP)
Picked it up today, and it's been around the turntable once. Very
impressive, whatever Grant may maintain it sounds alot like TAFKARDJ.
just kidding. But listening to this it's obvious that roommate of his,
had access to his gear, and maybe a little melodious influences.
Beautiful melodies, all presented with some mid-tempo, groovy beats. This
is a record I would use to introduce people to idm. Yep, there's
singing, and the first track, St. Martin, is absolutely incomprehensible.
But I was busy with dinner, so maybe another listen will clear things up.
Lots of analogue warmth too. Genuinely a pleasurable album.
Gary Moscheles: Shaped To Make Your Life Easier (SSR 171)
Horrors of horrors. I bought it Friday in NYC for only $16, which I was
impressed with. Listened to it Saturday, loved it, and then I Monday I
couldn't find the album. After an hour long search, I finally found it in
the garbage under my computer. While clearing off my desk, I guess it got
swept away.
Anyhow, this album kicks. Buy on sight. Megafunky, with some Bluff Limbo
type beats going on underneath. Tons of vibe samples, and some saxophones
for good measure. Kicks the hell out of the Jake Slazenger album from the
summer, (which I'd trade somebody for an AFX HAB1).
Also picked up:
The best of Future Sound Records (Rephlex CAT 025LP)
Eight tracks of Chicago house, all of which are done exactly the way
house should be done. Nuff said. Is it true there were only 500 of these?
Things I didn't buy:
Autechre: Key Nell remixes. boring.
Also, has the form come out for the end of year poll? I was off the list
for turkey time, and want to place my vote.
Phil Downey
Thanks to the redundancy of language, yxx cxn xndxrstxnd whxt x xm
wrxtxng xvxn xf x rxplxcx xll thx vxwxls wxth xn "x" (t gts lttl hrdr f
y dn't vn kn whr th vwls r). --Steven Pinker