Here you go Hk and all others.. more of in that soulful/house/techno vein
if you're not on it already. If you are, send some recommendations my way. =)
round one to round five 1993 - 1999 (main street records)
For one reason or another I came relatively late to the Basic Channel/Chain
Reaction phenomenon. Once I finally heard the sound though I was instantly
moved and I've been a huge fan of the artists and sounds involved with
Chain Reaction ever since. This happens sometimes; as our tastes evolve and
change we find a label or style that, though under our nose all along,
suddenly offers a rich vein to be explored.
Chain Reaction was just the tip of the iceberg. Some of my favorite
releases of all time are the various satellite projects- the Maurizio
compilation, the ambient releases on Imbalance, and the Rhythm & Sound
compilation. It's easy to see then why this recent Main Street release,
another CD compilation from another CR-related label, would make me happy.
Each record should be assessed on its own merits, but there is some value
in seeing patterns. The Main Street compilation fits a pattern begun on
those other releases; wrapping the Basic Channel sound around a particular
genre. Just as M takes those flangy slapback synths deep into tech house,
and Rhythm & Sound into reggae/dub, Main Street brings soulful house and
crosses it with the Basic Channel sound.
The result is what exactly? Four-on-the-floor house. Not as deeply swung as
M, but more obviously soulful with vocals by Andy Caine and Tikiman.
Interesting, additional production by one Chez Damier on 'I'm Your Brother'
(you with me Hk?) *grin*. And who can resist revisiting the MASSIVE
quadrant dub.. you get to here with quadrant dub II.
Track 4 ('New Day') turns it all up a notch - even tighter CR-influenced
house production and an even better vocal from Andy Caine. A swinging track
like this with well-done vocals hits the spot for me every time. Variety is
the key, and I can only be thankful I stuck around the electronic/idm scene
long enough to be introduced to music like this.
There are some less-engaging tracks. Particularly I think Tikiman's work on
Rhythm & Sound is superior to his more uptempo work here. But overall this
release is strong. It's also quite long with plenty of remixes for the dj
types looking for variation and tools.
Finally I would be remiss though if I didn't just come out and warn you
now- you don't want to miss 'Na Fe Throw It'. It's a minimal pulse, like
some dub remnant. It's the love-theme from Neuromancer. Devastated and
bleak on first listen it gradually reveals itself as warm subtle and
searching. A reprieve for desperate people (and who among us isn't in this
21st century ratrace) with the righteous dub of the Babylon Rockers felt
through the bulkhead.
All comments welcome.
- Brad
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