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URBAN SOUL RESEARCH / CLOINC / SCARCUBEM
7" Split singel heimelektro ulm (10/2001)
The tracks on this single where intended to appear in a flexie single series, but when after the first edition the factory stopped with making those flexies came also the series to his end. But the people from heimelektro decide to put the tracks so for released together on one single. So far for the first lecture.
Urban Soul Research has chosen their name well. Listening to this track it seems that they wand to let soul music sound through their, at Autechre related electronic. This they work out with strong distorted samples from singing voices. This is however skilful done, the sample is so distorted that the vocals become sounds, but you hear still that is taken from a soul (R&B) voice. Interesting track.
Cloinc search it a bit more sound on the American continent and choose Brazil as roots. On "vis a vis" are they use Bossa Nova with a dash of jazz and 60’ or 70 thies easy listening. Playful track.
Scarcubem accentuate in the biography that it or ideas, not a totally worked out song. And yes, as song would it a bit to chaotic. But the sketches, especially that one with the saxophone in combination with the with jazz flirting electronic will I hear as developed tune.
DR. NACHTSTORM vs HANS PLATZGUMER: Cantatas pro mortuum
10" (500 cp) heimelektro ulm (10/2001)
Dr. Nachtstorm is from Austria and released his first album 17 Songs After Midnight (07/99) on Mego, he also works under the names; Lutsch Synphonic Orchestra en Brotherhood of silence.
We noticed his companion Platzgumer the first time on the compilation CD from Heimelektro. A in Germany living ex Austrian who was in the 80ies bandleader of the guitar band from New York h.p. zinker but now works he under many names with which he launched a diversity of electronic projects.
Stirring up drum’n bass that is as well dance-able as tasty with the headphone. For the variegation in sound they work with replacing the drum or the bass a few counts with swelling, or out fading sounds (echoes).
The sampled voices made it all a bit seizable. The total sound with swelling background noises give it a dark atmosphere, listen to the opening piece from Cantatas II with the sampled strings atop.
Nice record the does think to the drum’n bass track’s I have heart so far from Scanner. Also on the edge between listening or dancing.
Various Artists: Zitrone
12" Duftplatten 2001
Duftplatten must pass for the dance division of Heimelektro ulm. Bit I have after try it out placed again the 10 " from Dr Nachtstorm vs Platzgumer on the turntable to freak out.
But I must admit the opener from Shift is full with dance influences. Wacko sometimes inclines to drum’n bass pieces with heavy distorted beats and nervous acid become interchanged by hovering keyboard parts (in a very popular form known from the hit factory Faithless….).
Hans Platzgumer does it this time together with is companion from Queen of Japan (and also Shinto), Albert Poeschl (Platzgumer vs. poeschl). And now I understand why duftplatten is called the dance division. BEATS heavy fat beats and nothing else. Not to compare with the big beats, no nice chaotic with weird voices (cut upped) and sounds.
The last track is from Con-Tact which released already work under his own name; Michael Langlois. Not so straightforward with the beats as the predecessor. But it roars still nice trough with a bit D&B related rhythm and hard to define pieces (distorted string instrument, harp, piano?).
To self willed release to be classified as dance record, but inventive music where the beats are the main thing.
V/A: :Reslab:
CD Mitek 2001
The second release on this label from artist Mikael Stavöstrand is becomes a compilation CD with work of himself, Andreas Tilliander, Grecl and Silent Comfort.
The first track is from Andreas Tilliander. A fourteen minutes long minimal dub track. The only contribution from him, but it’s a promising mix between warm dub and cool electronic. The next four songs are provided by Grecl. Minimal crackling glitch in combination with warm deep bass sounds and techno rhythms, taste too more.
Ten minutes and also one contribution from Silent Comfort also strongly influenced by Jamaica, but more lazy, more electronic and even more dance influences as Tilliander.
At the end two tracks’s from Mikael Stavöstrand. I was a bit impressed by his Lite CD. Very minimal crackling electronic with techno influences at the same time experimental as listening-able. But those two long tracks are a bit floating without a point.
Besides Mikaels own contribution very strong release with names to look out for.
Greetings,
Tom Wilms
tom.wilks@skynet.be
Unconventional music site L'entrepot @:
http://users.skynet.be/entrepot/tmonth/main.html