Jake Slazenger "MakesARacket" Clear CLR410CD
(also 2x12" with two bonus tracks)
Metaphonk
Get Up R
Stupid Wanker
Gary's Birthday
Daytime Kiss
Erp
Watt
Flod
Bolus
Feet
Five Alive
Lux
Jake S. is of course a pseudonym for Michael Parradinas aka Muziq.
This disc is a collection of strange tracks; most that sound like
they're influenced by 70's and 80's styles. Some (but not all have
that much-hyped "electro-revival" sound) Predominant is a
kind of fluty organ sound. The first track (Metaphonk) reminds
me of the 60's novelty hit called "The Elephant's Parade" or
something like that -- a goofy little melody, too silly to be
taken seriously, but too catchy to forget. Track 4 starts with
a little Martin Denny-esque sample of vibraphone Jazz.
In other words MP has gone back to an odd sort of roots music --
the stuff they played on lame-o radio shows in the 60's -- muzak-y,
goofy, cheese pop sounds -- stuff that annoys you but you can't seem
to get out of your head. Things on your mom's radio station when
you were a child. This is, of course filtered through his
own jazzy, funky sensibility, and often accompanied by distorted
electro drum loops.
Another technique represented here is looping heavily processed
vocal samples and making them the basis of the rhythm track. "Get
Up R" is such a track, which segues into one of those gritty digital
rhythm loops. The result is unconventional but very funky.
teep didn't warm to this record, calling it "muziq by the numbers."
but to my ears it represents a new side of him -- go for the groove
instead of the bugout; and craft little tinker toy melodies that
recall 60's cocktail jazz silliness, with equal parts of over-the-top
cheesiness and pop irresistability.
You may hate it, you may love it, but if you give it a few listens
you may never forget it.
Musician's notes: There are an awful lot of what sounds like
DX7 textures on this disk, making it period accurate with the first
emergence of electro. Or it might be that DX100 from the Tango
gear list. But in these days of analogue chauvinism, maybe some of
that mid/late 80's digital stuff is going to supplant the TB303
in next years "gotta have it" category.
--
"This unit might get hot while operating, but there is nothing to
worry about it." -- Chapter 1, Verse 10, the book of MKS30.
-- kent.williams@cadsi.com
[Kent Williams/CADSI/2651 Crosspark Rd/Coralville IA 52241/(319)626-6700]