A few reviews to interrupt your regularly scheduled flame wars...
. Phoenecia: Randa Roomet 2x12" (Warp)
The Schematic & Soul Oddity masterminds, Josh Kay and
Romulo Del Castillo, return for four excellent tracks of melodic
electro and d&b flavored electronica. My favorite tracks are the
uptempo Gescom-ish "Y-Intercpnkt" and "Can" but none of the
tracks will disappoint. This release will definitely please the
ears of the Musik Aus Strom, Skam, Schematic, v/vm and Ae
fans. 8/10
. Monolake: Hongkong cd (Chain Reaction)
This cd compiles the two Monolake 12"s on Chain Reaction with
the Monolake 12" on Din plus two previously unreleased tracks
that were recorded during live performances in Hong Kong and
Guangzhou. On one of the new tracks, Mass Transit Railway,
Monolake is assisted by Imbalance artist Wieland Samolak. If
you are unfamiliar with the previous Monolake releases, the
tracks on this cd are in the classic basic channel/chain reaction
style of grungy dubby techno & ambience. The closest comparison
in style would be last year's Porter Ricks: Biokinetics cd. If you
enjoyed that one then you'll love this cd. I recommended it highly.
9/10
. Mannequin Lung: The Art of Travel cd (Plug Research)
Joe Babylon and Alan Avanessian, Plug Research label owners &
operators, release their first album under their Mannequin Lung
guise with the help of Raffi Taschian, Divine Styler and John
Tejada on a few tracks. Featured on this cd are fifteen tracks of
superb experimental techno and electronica including the excellent
building minimal techno track "The Silver State" which was on
the recent Plug Research & Development comp 2x12." Other tracks
of note range from the mid-tempo polyrhythmic build of "Nineveh
820 B.C.," to the luscious strings of the downtempo "Jealous
Igwanas," to the e2-e4 sample-driven minimal techno builder
"The Silver State," to the sultry slow electro-swing of "Chai," and
the basic channel goes disco sounding " At the Car Wash." The
most impressive thing about this release is the truly unique and
refreshing sound that Mannequin Lung gives each of their tracks.
I've had an advance of this release for over a month now and the
only problem i have with it is that i have trouble picking which
tracks to play out since there are so many good ones on this release.
An outstanding start for the Plug Research label in '98. 10/10
. From Beyond, vol 3 comp 12" (Interdimensional Transmissions)
The third comp in the four-part From Beyond series features more
of the same new-school electro as featured on the previous two
comps. This 12" showcases tracks from Frankie Carbone (aka
Mannequin Lung & R.E.A.L.M.), Spacelings & Bassheads, Will
Web, and an Krok/Ectomorph track. My favorite track is the
Ectomorph remix of Krok's "Amp Error" but the funky plodding
melody of the Spacelings & Bassheads "Never Trust a Coward"
is close behind. The five lock grooves are a nice treat as well.
More top notch new-school electro which we've come to expect
from the Interdimensional Transmissions label. 7/10
. Porter Ricks: s/t cd (Mille Plateaux)
This is more of a Porter Ricks compilation really compiling the
all the Porter Ricks 12"s on Force Inc - two Redundance 12"s, the
Spoil 12" and the Exposed 12" - plus two previously unreleased
tracks. I didn't like the spoil/spoiled or the expose/exposed tracks
but they constitute just four of the twelve tracks on the cd. The rest
of the tracks, culled from the Redundance 12"s are well with having
& are much in same style as the Porter Ricks releases on Chain
Reaction. The two new tracks, Scuba Lounge and Decay Chart,
are both deep enveloping ambient pieces that are the real highlights
of this release. 7/10
. As One: Planetary Folklore cd (MoWax)
In this, Kirk DeGorgio's sixth album, he is in his full-on jazz mode
much in the same vein as Carl Craig's Innerzone Orchestra outfit or
the recent Reflection releases on Clear. On Planetary Folklore Kirk
produces ten tracks of lush armchair jazz and electronica that will
please both the jazz enthusiasts and the fans of previous As One
releases. I didn't particularly care for the male vocals on "Away From
All of This" but aside from that track, this is an outstanding release -
by far one of the best As One releases. 8/10
BTW: Don't forget our Inaudible netcast every Wednesday
from 9-11 pm Eastern Standard Time. Hear John C (Bent Crayon)
and I spin two hours of the music we speak so highly of...
The show will be accessible by visiting
http://www.wcsb.org
every Wednesday from 9-11 pm EST. The show will be broad-
cast in the AudioActive format (which is actually much
better than RealAudio). You can download the Audio Active
plugin for free at
http://www.audioactive.com/player/
During the Inaudible show we will be giving away promo 12"s
and cds so yet another reason to tune in.
If you need any more info email us at bcrayon@bentcrayon.com
or mclance@nacs.net
-->-Lance---
p.o. box 450715
westlake, ohio 44145
united states