Rac - 'Structures' (Warp WAP71CD)
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Tunnel Talk / On The Verge / Freckle / Continua / Defuse / Instinct /
Return To Rio / Scuba
Duckenfield and Benson return to the fray with the release of this,
their third e.p. for Warp. "Structures," a mid-priced CD and 12"
double-pack, comprises eight new slices of the minimal, percussive
techno which Rac cut so well. Rac once described their music as "a club
soundtrack for a place we haven't found yet." With "Structures" they
continue their quest to fulfil this ideal. No dramatic change in sound
or direction then, simply more of the same (which is no bad thing). For
those who aren't familiar with previous releases, the Rac sound is an
upbeat, relatively sparse but distinctive form of techno (occasionally
sounding a tad electro). The emphasis is on rhythm, repetition and
floor-appeal.
As one might expect, "Structures" mirrors most closely the more recent
Warp e.p.s (particularly "Tangents"), the sound being (erm...) less full
than that of earlier Nucleus material (of which the Warp "Diversions"
compilation provides a nice resume). Opener "Tunnel Talk" is classic,
percussive Rac with repeating loops and strong beats, and is nicely
counterbalanced by the smooth, soothing synth of "On The Verge." The
mood changes again as harsh, reverberating drums break the calm and pave
the way for the curious dub bass line of "Freckle" (quite "Electro
Fish"-esque). "Continua" is a builder, which gathers atmosphere and
emotion as synths emanate gradually, whereas "Instinct," an up-front,
rumbling, tumbling affair, is much less subtle. More dub bass with
"Return To Rio" (and if it's a re-hash of "Neo Rio" on "Diversions," I
can't spot the similarity) before "Scuba" draws things to close. As is
often the way, the last track here is the best one. A loose, laid-back
rhythm is overlaid with jazzy noodlings and melodies to give "Scuba" a
delicious, funky warmth. A fitting end to a good e.p..
Released 25 March, 1996.
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s e n d c d s f o r r e v i e w t o :
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||||\\ //|||| ___ //////////////////////
|||| \\// |||| ||// \\ /////
|||| |||| |||. ____ ///// Paul Jarvis,
\\\\\ ///// John Innes Centre,
\\\\\ ///// Norwich Research Park,
jarvisr@bbsrc.ac.uk \\\\\// Colney, Norwich NR4 7UH,
England, United Kingdom.
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