The tenth issue...
. Pretty Boy Crossover: the building and formation cd (Surgery)
The fifth release for the Australian-based Surgery label is an
impressive full-length from Pretty Boy Crossover entitled 'the
building and formation.' This album, which was previously scheduled
for release on the Skam label, features ten tracks of downtempo
electronica driven at times by light hip-hop percussion and other
times by spacious ambient atmospheres but always accompanied by warm
enveloping melodies. In know this description seems like it would
apply to about 75% of the IDM music being produced these days but
with this Pretty Boy Crossover release that formula has been worked
to perfection to deliver a nearly flawless album that draws you in
from the first minute of listening and keeps the listener engaged and
entranced for all ten tracks. Personal favorites on "the building and
formation" are the beautifully melodic ambient tapestry of 'blu-glo,'
the punchy ambient hip-hopper 'lines half spoken,' the haunting
experimental soundscapes of '2-26 transformer' and the slo-mo melodic
hip-hop of 'sub-holiday.' Fans of a more sedate/ ambient Lexaunculpt,
Bola, Jega, Phonem, Arovane sound should definitely check this one
out! The PBXO release is highly recommended and is a definite
contender for one of my favorites on 2k1! For more information check
out the Surgery website at:
http://www.surgeryrecords.com.au
. Carl Craig: the climax 12" (Planet E)
A long-overdue reissue of the classic 1990 Paperclip People
detroit-disco track 'The Climax' but packaged this time with a
previously unreleased Basic Channel remix! The ep starts with the
original 12-minute mix of 'The Climax' which features a long ambient
breakdown in the middle of the track sandwiched between one of the
best assemblages of disco-loops, bounding basslines, melodic synths,
and shuffle beats ever produced. But to make this release even more
amazing, the b-side contains the glorious 13+ minute Basic Channel
Reshape of 'The Climax' (not to be confused with the Basic Channel
Reshape of 'Throw' which was released as a rare b-side back in 1994).
This remix features all the signature Basic Channel sounds melded
with the original to create an epic muted dubby filterfest. This ep
would be worth having for the first mix alone but the addition of the
new Basic Channel remix makes this release an absolute 'must have.'
For more information about this release (including its interesting
history) and for an audio sample of the Basic Channel Remake (will
play while viewing the site), check the label website at:
http://www.planet-e.net/
. Twerk: now I'm rendered useless cd (Force Inc)
With releases on Context/Belief Systems, Cytrax/Delay, Planet Rhythm,
and Organised Noise Twerk has made quite a name for himself as a
purveyor of quality minimal & click techno and on this, his first
full-length, he doesn't do anything to damage that reputation. 'Now
I'm renedered useless' features nine tracks of clicktechno with
toppings that range from minimal to melodic to chaotic dsp-laiden sfx
but for the most part within a 4x4 percussive framework. The
highpoints for me are the jittery melodic journey of 'grunt_sculptin'
and the experimental atmosphere of 'miol' but every track has it's
own appeals. If you enjoy the more percussive releases by Safety
Scissors, Sutekh, DJ Jasper, or previous Twerk releases then you
should enjoy this one too. Solid. For more information and some sound
samples check:
http://www.force-inc.net/fim/artists/twerk/index.html
. F.S. Blumm: mondkuchen cd (Morr Music)
With previous releases for more experiemental labels such as Tomlab,
Gefriem, and Staubgold, one would not expect the next F.S. Blumm
release to appear on Morr Music - a label better known for it's poppy
electronica releases. But then again, Morr Music's output has been
getting more and more diverse lately (i.e. Tied & Tickled Trio,
Welschel Garland, Manual, Bomb The Bass, etc). Regardless of label,
F.S. Blumm delivers yet another album of elegantly simple ambient
post-rock-electronica that relies more on instrumental repetition
than traditional song structure. Chimes, horns, xylophone, piano,
guitar, and synths all combine to deliver a playful yet relaxed sound
similar to that of The High Llamas, Pan American, Andrew Coleman, or
older Mouse on Mars. Overall, F.S. Blumm's 'Mondkuchen' is a pleasant
introspective release perfect for quiet afternoons in the shade or
tranquil mornings in the mist. Fans of Thrill Jockey, Pan American,
Es, or previous F.S. Blumm/Harold Zeigler releases should enjoy this
one.
. Caural: initial experiments in 3-d cd (Toshoklabs)
Caural is the guise of young Chicago producer Zachary Mastoon and
'Initial Experiments in 3-D' is his debut release. The style of this
release is a journey of jazzy styles ranging from the bleepy sci-fi
breakbeats of 'Moonboots' to the acid-jazzy swing of 'Casio Sunburn'
to the jazzy hip-hop of 'Aquarium' to the slow spacey gurgling
melodies of "Snowy' to the downtempo jazz of 'Safety Cone.' Also the
opening track is also quite amusing featuring a recording of Caural
at 6 yrs old freestyle rapping. Overall, some bright spots and
pleasant moments on 'Experiments in 3-D for fans of the
Shadow/early-Ninja Tune trip-hop-n-jazz sound (i.e. Up Bustle & Out,
9 Lazy 9, or even some early Funky Porchini) Nice. For more
information and sound samples check out the label website at
http://www.toshoklabs.com
Questions, comments, and currants welcome...
--
-->-Lance----
PO Box 450715
Westlake, OH 44145
United States
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