Freeform - "Prowl" (Warp WAP73CD)
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Prowl / Lebanon / Sticks / Brieflei
Simon Pyke, the personality behind Freeform, made his name whilst
supporting Autechre on their recent UK tour. "Prowl," his debut release
for Warp Records, captures nicely the raw energy of his live
performances and is an impressively accomplished work. Comparisons with
Autechre are inevitable since the similarities are readily apparent.
Perhaps less obvious are the similarities between Freeform and RAC
(largely at the level of percussion), but they nonetheless exist.
Freeform does not, however, amount to simple plagiarism since subtle
differences in sound and style combine to give the new-comer
individuality and identity. Divergence from the Booth/Brown blue-print
is most pronounced on the title track here which, funnily enough, is by
far the best on the record. Mechanical, crunchy rhythms (bread and
butter, yes, but very nice) combine with wacko, cheesy melodies (far
more likely to have been lifted from records by the likes of Jake
Slazenger or the Gregory Fleckner Quintet than any Autechre release) to
produce a remarkably novel sound. "Lebanon" sports similarly complex,
metallic percussion and a lumbering bass line, and for the first few
bars really does sound like it was produced by Autechre (this is all the
more striking because of their singularly unique sound). The
introduction of a grunting (synthetic) trombone riff (think "Money
Program") transforms the piece, however, putting it firmly back in
Freeform's own territory. "Sticks" I find a little disjointed and
perhaps a little too long. A fumbling rhythm struggles to find its way
in the dark, whilst inane (space-)jazzy noodlings again evoke memories
of GFQ and "Monkey Boots." Last track "Brieflei" takes second prize
after "Prowl" itself, and after somewhat minimal, percussive beginnings
gradually begins to ooze a pervading, drawn-out warmth which draws the
record rather nicely to a soothing close.
Out now.
Nightmares On Wax - "Still Smokin'" (Warp WAP76CD)
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Stars (Nightmares On Wax Vocal Mix) / Gambi Via Vagator Beach (Scruff
Mix) / What I'm Feeling (Rae + Christian Mix) / Dread Overboard (DJ Food
Mix)
Nightmares On Wax return with remixes of four tracks taken from last
year's "Smokers Delight" album. Whereas the album version of "Stars" was
an essentially instrumental, seventies jazz-funk number, the remix
included here incorporates brand new vocals and has an (inevitable)
drum'n'bass flavour. The vocals are provided by Leigh Kenny (who
featured in NOW's live performances during the latter half of 1995) and
take on the form of both rapping and more traditional singing. They're a
nice touch, adding to the music rather than detracting, and give the
piece a whole different feel. Nice jungle. "Gambia Via Vagator Beach"
was never one of my favourite tracks, sounding rather bare and
unfinished, and the remix provided by Mr. Scruff does not change the
situation substantially. The addition of some minimal jungle(y) drums
and the occasional flute just aren't enough and the piece still sounds
sparse. "What I'm Feeling (Good)" on the other hand was far-and-away my
favourite track on "Smokers Delight" (if only it could have been a
little longer!): a short but (oh-so-)sweet summery affair which exuded
optimism, happiness and joy like there was no tomorrow. Here, few traces
of the original track remain. Having come to terms with the total
annihilation of an already near-perfect piece of music, I find that the
Rae + Christian Remix is really rather good. The new version is full-on,
high-energy funky trip hop, and the addition of an intermittent rap
(more aggressive, less mellow than that on "Stars") further disguises
any remaining traces of the original. DJ Food's interpretation of "Dread
Overboard" marks a return to the drum'n'bass arena, leaving behind the
old-fashioned dub of the original version (although re-listening to the
original, it does actually sound a bit jungley too). This is laid-back
jungle of the mellow, jazzy variety, and once again (with the exception
of one or two vocal riffs) little of the original version is
recognisable. In conclusion, "Still Smokin'" is an excellent e.p. which
no self-respecting drum'n'bass, trip hop or NOW fan can afford to miss.
Released 24 June.
Nightmares On Wax Live 1996
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25 May The Essential Festival
Brighton, UK
26 May L'Aeronef
Lille, France
29 June (tbc) Tribal Gathering UK
30 June Roskilde Festival
Denmark
3 July LA2
London, UK
5 July Quart Festival
Norway
11 July Dour Festival
Belgium
12 July Ritmes Global Festival Spain
19 July Phoenix Festival UK
24 August Leysin Alps Festival
Switzerland
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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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