Although I have been of work, etc. I have fortunately been able
to continue buying records. :)
Here's my essential check-list of the last 2 months or so, distilled
from a greater amount of stuff actually acquired. The order is
actually the order in which I acquired them, nothing else whatsoever
is implied
Goldie - Timeless (Metalheadz/ffrr)
Given to me by a friend who didn't like it. I only have the single CD
version, and admittedly it took me a few listens to appreciate fully
- I have previously bought d&b stuff from plug, spring heel jack
etc., or overheard the rockin hardcore stuff but never really known
what to try. At first I thought this sounded a bit wimped out, but
crank it up and let it flow. The drum programming and production are
beyond reproach, the compositional side varies from excellent to
moderate, only the vocals on some tracks let it down .The epic
"Timeless - Inner City Life/Pressure/Jah" is superb.
AFX - hangable auto bulb (WARP)
(Of course)
Brad Strider - Bradley's Beat (Rephlex)
That Rephlex reissue. I too bought the promo, then had to get the
full release for the packaging. The lighter track with the melodious
bassline is my fave.
Autechre - Anvil Vapre (WARP)
Well I already reviewed this off promo.
Panasonic - Vakio (Blast First)
Essential minimalit electronics from Finland. I heard one track from
this on a free CD with the Wire magazine, and just had to buy the
album. Also found the limited pic disc 12" which is great for fucking
up these sounds even more.
Slam - Positive Education (Soma)
One techno re-release I didn't originally own, the original track
sounds (to me) a little dull, but the remix package is good,
particulatrly Richie Hawtin's stripped mix.
Ken Ishii - Extra (R&S)
With wicked Dave Angel (typical speeding Detroit techno style) and
Wagon Christ (slow-ish drum&bass) remixes. I have yet to check the LP
Freeform - Free EP (SKAM)
I find this a little to much on the percussive side without enough
melody/harmony/what have you, but an excellent EP. A recent live show
indicated whatthis guy is capable of - watch out.
Sem - Phox (Electron Industries)
You Like Electro? Hunt this down!
Coldcut - Journeys by DJ
I very rarely buy mix CDs but I'm glad I checked this one out.
A wild mixture of stuff expertly put together with all sorts of
excerpts from fil soundtracks etc., not listed on the tracklisting.
Woob - Void Part 2 (Beeswax)
Finally found it! A nice long ambient track which fits well with
their first LP, plus some rather unnecessary dance remixes.
Dave Angel - Tales of the Unexpected (Blunted)
Superb jazzy influenced Detroit-style techno LP with a real variety
of tempos and styles.
Autechre - Tri Repetae (WARP)
Of course. There has been some interesting discussion about this I
see from the digest. I too found it less immediate than some of their
work. I personally rated "Incunabula" as my favourite LP of 93, and
"Amber" is definitely one of the best releases of 94. So how about
this? Well further listening reveals that they have maintained their
unique style, but moved on too, into harder, funky, industrial
territory. One that will run and run. Great packaging too. But what
does "tdr" mean?
CJ Bolland - Electronic Highway (R&S)
I am impressed by this LP. Perhaps lacking the dancefloor anthems to
be found on his earlier "Ravesignal" EPs and "The 4th Sign", this
nonetheless has some killer tracks. CJ has discovered breakbeats
bigtime , from eletro stylings on the slower tracks, to junglistic
beats on some of the faster stuff. He also demonstrates a subtle
approach to textures which is belied by the pounding beats - even one
Gabber-tempoed track is quite listenable if you just let the drums do
their stuff.
Electronic Eye - The idea of Justice (Beyond)
More from RH Kirk (does this guy ever leave his studio?)
Unquestionably recognisable, but avoids becoming cliched, and is a
worthwhile purchase if you dig his style.
Planet Dub comp. (Planet Dog)
Absolutely WICKED dub compilation. Stormin' bass. Crank it up and
feel your house vibrate! This compilation or "proper" dub stuff blows
away most "dub-influenced" stuff and eclipese the likes of "Macro Dub
infection" too for its consistent style AND quality.
Trance Atlantic 2
A bit too many straightforward acid-house tracks on here for me, but
there are some real gems lurking in there. Good value with about 23
tracks, now on 6 slices of vinyl.
The Project - Do That Dance (R&S)
Found this old CJ-Bolland hardcore/techno/rave track at a record
fair. Worth checking for historical purposes.
LFO - Advance (WARP)
Promo of the new LP, out next year, at last! And It's brilliant.
They create some massive soundscapes, a kinda "Stadium" techno feel,
as well as some beautiful mellow moods.
The Advent - Elements of Life (Can't remember label)
Like CJ Bollands LP (one of these guys used to work with him) There
are a lot of electro/breakbeat rhythms on this LP, though none of the
really high-tempo stuff. Very strong dancefloor techno with a liberal
sprinkling of "intelligence"
DJ Baby Anne - Abercrombie (?)
Single Sided killer retro-styled Electro track. (I'm big on Electro
still)
OSC - Return of the Great (Rooftop)
4 more tracks of wicked electro on a british label, which even copies
the old Streetsounds "Electro" label style for their "Rooftop" logo
(black text on white & yellow)
Nav Katze - Never Mind the Distortion (SSR)
Took a long time to get to Birmingham, this one. Finally picked up
this excellent selection of Aphex, Black Dog & Reload/GC remixes.
The japanese lyrics on a few tracks add a surreal note for those who
cannot understand them - I guess it's quite a lot different for those
who can!
Disjecta - Looking for snags (WARP)
(Yes greg I've spotted the error on the spines) Excellent varied
stuff. If you like Aphex, or Seefeel, or Autechre, or the Disjecta
track on the Leaf EP, you will almost certainly like this.
Hardfloor - Dadamnphreaknoizephunk? (Harthouse)
Dropping their tempos into seriously low-down-n-funky territory. Even
the 303s are not so much in evidence on some of these tracks.
Continuing from where "Alternative" left off. I for one thought that
"Respect" contained very noticeable of stylistic change, but even
those who did not think that was the case will not really be able to
argue here. The last track sounds somewhat like the Chemical
Brothers!
Luger - Pass Agent (Leaf)
Picked this up because it's on Leaf, who came out with the excellent
"Invisible Soundtracks" EP with Gescom, Disjecta, etc. This is a
drum-n-bass 3 tracker. But with a difference. One track is
unquestinably 160bpm as it plays this fast at 33, but the other two
play around 120bpm at 33, and one of them is on the same side as the
160 track! Both sound good at either rotation speed.
Plug 3 - Versatile Crib Funk (Rising High)
More innovative D&B from Mr V. Pity Plug2 evaded my grasp.
Get out there and enjoy!!
J
^
__________
________.__/_____ _||_/ James Skilton aka Steady J
_[]/_____________[.__\____-_ DJ and Party Animal
| | Part Time Hedonist
|____________________________| Full Time Technohead
|__|-' '-|__| Steady-J@Firefox.co.uk