I'm reposting this because several people have told me that
this message was mistakenly HTML-ized when i last sent
it. Hopefully it's ok now...
A few reviews for you...
. Richie Hawtin: Concept 1 96 cd (M_NUS)
This is a compilation of tracks culled from the twelve Concept
eps released in 1996 seamlessly mixed by Mr. Hawtin himself.
The styles on this range from weird electronica & ambience to
dubby minimal techno and even one track of silence. The tracks
are very much in the Profan and Studio 1 style . I was lucky
enough to get all the Concept 12"s when they were first released
but it's fun to hear what an accomplished dj can do with these
tracks. 7/10
. Mannequin Lung: The Art of Travel cd (Plug Research)
(I thought i'd repost this review from Recoreview, pt 28 because
The Art of Travel just's just been released and because it's so good.)
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 album for the Plug Research label in '98. 10/10
. Further Adventures in Technosoul limited sampler 12" (Ferox)
A limited four track sampler from the second Ferox compilation.
This 12" contains new tracks from Dan Curtin & Mike Filly,
Miguel Graça, Fusion, and Ian O'Brien. The a1 is a supremely
groovy disco-flavored tech-houser by Curtin & Filly. The a2 is
a soulful jazzy track with a latenight feel and uniquely timed
percussion by Miguel Graça. The b1 is a funky techno track by
Russ Gabriel's Fusion guise that sounds like it features a live
bassist and drummer. The b2 is a slice of smooth electronic
technojazz that we've come to expect from Ian O'Brien. All
four of these tracks are excellent and leave me eagerly awaiting
the upcoming Further Adventures in Technosoul album. 9/10
. CIM: Series One 12" (Headspace)
A beautifully lush 4-tracker here from the young UK Headspace
label featuring two tracks of ultra-smooth atmospheric techno,
one smooth & funky electroish track touched up by Morgan
Geist, and beautiful electronic piece that builds into a nice
melodic d&b track. Fans of Herbert, Morgan Geist, and Carl
Craig should take notice of CiM and the Headspace label. 9/10
. Grow! For It, Vol. 1 cd (Grow!)
A compilation of smooth tech-house and housey-disco from
Grow! label artists including Glory B, Jeremiah, The Last
Discosuperstars, i-Levels, Alphabet and Maybe & Her Boneless
Sisters. Of the thirteen tracks on this cd, ten have been previously
released on Grow! releases 1-7 and three tracks are new. This is
a nice comp to see what this vienna-based label has been putting
out over the past three years. 7/10
. Human: Island Life 12" (Human)
A neat three tracker of retro-detroit techno from grange, bligh
and sherrif. The a1 is a string-laiden moody track that sounds
like classic derrick may. The b1 sounds like early an early
model 500 or cybotron electro-industrial piece. The ep closes
with a beautiful melodic beatless track. A real homage to
late 80s or early 90s detroit techno by this new UK label. 8/10
. Ampetek: white label 12" (Eclectic-Rome)
Four tracks of experimental electronica and techno with an
early aphex twin flavor to them. The ep starts with a slow
moody breakbeat track. The a2 is a harder breakbeat track
reminding me a little of Polygon Window's Quoth. The b1
is an even faster breakbeat track, almost d&b sounding, with
similar dark synths and atmospheres. The b2 is long SAW II-
like ambient track that slowly builds into a crazy metalic
d&b track then slowly breaks down back into the SAW II-like
track. The winner here is the beautiful b2 but aphex twin fans
would be happy with all four tracks. 6/10
. Inigo Kennedy: Spatial 12" (Molecular)
Some building minimal techno from this producer who has
released material on the Zet and Missile labels. All three
tracks do a nice job of fading several different synth lines
and sounds in & out of each track with the best being the
funky b1 cut. Fans of Downwards, Zet, Sheep and Missile
know what to expect here. 7/10
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