I decided to post this in case we have newcomers that may not be familiar with
these (popular) CD's, and are afraid to ask. All of the discs listed are at
the absolute TOP of this genre we call Intelligent Dance Music, and yet each
has its own signature sound. Most importantly, all have a very accessable,
listenable nature to them, and can be enjoyed without pre-requisite :)
Here's the short list:
Plaid - "Not for Threes" (Nothing / Warp) -- one of the best albums of recent
times for IDM. Nice melodic breakbeat stuff. Not too experimental, yet far
from conventional. A lot of the songs tend to move in "movements," especially
the first three. They change style and tone but still manage to hold together
nicely without losing thier mood. A lot of the disc has a 'lighthearted' feel
to it, coupled with a strange, almost sinister undercurrents flowing within.
Note tracks 3,7,10, and 12. Very diverse, well rounded album.
Carl Craig - "More Songs About Food and Revolutionary Art" (Planet E)
Probably the best IDM full length of '97 (That I've heard) Not like his
earlier, Detroit sounding "Paperclip People" releases. This is much more
experimental and timeless. Can go from dark and foreboding to lush and
uplifting. Carl Craig is not often acknowledged on the list, probably because
of his roots in Detroit Techno. This album IS idm, it just doesn't sound like
it came from Warp. Expand your horizons without leaving the genre, and check
this one out.
Kraftwelt - "Retroish" (Hypnotic) Lush, deeply melodic German IDM. German
in that the melodies have a simple, repetitive, analogue sound. Each song
layers atmospheric and hypnotic textures that build upon each other in a
classic and familiar sense. The sound and stlye are not new, hence the title,
but it works well enough to be placed at the top of 1998's releases. I bought
this at the same time that I bought "Not For Threes," and I still flip flop as
to which I prefer.
Sun Electric - "Present" (Apollo) Sun Electric's best CD in my opinion.
Another example of a CD with a distinct flavor. A perfect progression from
the Ambient House sound of "Kitchen." Strange, twisting, often jazzy melodies
set in a unique breakbeat style. The only way to describe Sun Electric is to
say that they sound like Sun Electric. Very unique Idm. Thier most recent
CD, "Via Nostra," is a good follow up to "Present" with more of a jazzy
overtone.
Orbital - "2" and "In Sides" -- (FFRR) You did'nt mention Orbital in your
email, so in the off chance you don't have these two CD's, stop reading now
and go get them.
V/A - "The Knights Who Say Dot" (DOT) An excellent compilation often
overlooked. Very mature, jazzy breakbeat IDM with tracks from the likes of:
Hab, Friend, Quant, Tupilaq, and Placid Angels (John Beltran). The Tupilaq
and Placid Angels tunes sound like Dead Can Dance meet IDM. And it works.
The Hab, Friend and Quant tunes are like twisted electro - lounge music. This
CD represents the height of IDM sophistication.
In my opinion, if you like IDM, you will be very impressed with each of these
discs, each for different reasons. You can't go wrong with any of them.
-----------------------Izzo was here.........