---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 19 Jul 1995 23:25:01 +0100
From: PAUL JARVIS <paul.jarvis@bbsrc.ac.uk>
To: Non Receipt Notification Requested <fluid@hyperreal.com>
Subject: REVIEWS-Elecktroids/Gentle People
Elecktroids - "Kilohertz" (Warp WAP 65 CD)
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The first thought I had when I picked this up on Saturday was "Drexciya,"
and that was only because of the artwork! The sleeve is identical to
Drexciya's "The Journey Home" except that the small greenish blue octopus
has been replaced by a reddish photo of some chap peering down a tunnel...
and, obviously, the title is different. Well, funnily enough, the similarity
runs deeper (perhaps Warp are planning a series of electro e.p.s which are
all to bear sleeves like these). Put it this way, if the label on the front
said Drexciya, I'd believe it. The opening and title track "Kilohertz" is a
dead ringer for the closing and title track on "The Journey Home." Basically,
it's a tasty little electro number which bobbles along fine but occasionally
gets a little too bleepy for its own good. Track two, "Magnetic Fields" is
better and reminds me somewhat of Jam and Spoon's "Right in the Night" (Oh
No!). Don't worry, it's only a tenuous link - probably something to do with
keyboards sounding a bit like guitars. "Remote Control Hornet" makes me
think RAC, is pretty repetitive, though suitably short, and probably the
weakest cut here. Closing track "Algorithm," on the other hand, is a beauty
and the best on the e.p.. The cheddar rating here goes sky-high making this
a truly naff number. Little twiddley melodies remind me of theme tunes to
telly classics like Dr. Who and Blake's Seven. But its dead, dead groovy
and I love it. I just can't wait to get me hands on the next one!
The Gentle People - "Journey" (Rephlex CAT 040 CD)
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I must say that I was very surprised when I first listened to this and I
guess it represents a bit of a departure for Rephlex. The closest reference
point in my record collection is Saint Etienne, and it's a fairly close
one at that. Although, to be fair, TGP sound more expansive and, well,
ambient. So that sets the scene - ambient kitsch - and this is very kitschy!
Track one (Original Mix incorporating the Radio Edit) starts very gently (!)
with quaint piano licks and Spanish guitars, which are shortly joined by
shimmering violins as the wave gathers momentum bringing us to a lush dub
bassline and an odd, but perfect as it happens, flamenco rhythm. As the song
progresses we're treated to vocals as a man and a woman duet. The chap does
the choruses and the lady talks sensuously through the verses - here's a
snippet. "Love me, Move with me, Gyrate with me, Have fun with me .....
Cha cha cha chaaaaa." It's all very tongue in cheek of course (I hope it is
for their sakes!), but its delivered with the innocence and naivety of a
Scandinavian pop group singing in English. Track three, the Gentle
Instrumental, is a stripped down version with most of the vocals removed
leaving just whispy, airy sounds and making this a truly ambient
interpretation of the song. The Aphex Twin Care Mix has a more prominent
rhythm than the original and is probably my favourite version (although I
do miss the chorus!). Surprisingly, AFX has actually changed very little
here which makes me think, either he actually liked the track to begin
with, or he just couldn't be arsed (one time I saw him play live and he
wasn't even on stage - like, we weren't just listening to a tape then were
we?). He does add some extra melody once the track gets going which sounds
suitably Aphexy and a bit like the musical saw off "Delicatessan." Also,
later on we get a bit of distortion but it's subtle and doesn't detract
from the squeaky clean appeal of the song. Finally, there's the Hazchem
Remix which frankly is crap and I don't know why they bothered. It
basically amounts to a few characteristic extracts from the original set
to a backdrop of guitar distortion. There's no rhythm and it doesn't gel
at all (you can't tell I want to go home at all can you?!). That aside,
this is a good record, and I shouldn't complain as there are three really
good, long mixes. Overall, very nice, and I shall certainly look out for
the next release.
Jake Slazenger - "Makesaracket" (Clear)
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Album of the Year Contest Update - THIS RECORD HAS ALREADY WON !
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