On Mon, 1 Sep 1997, PUCKERED1@aol.com wrote:
quoted 3 lines it's actually PALETTE, and you might want to ask GIL GERSHAM since I think he>it's actually PALETTE, and you might want to ask GIL GERSHAM since I think he
>listed it as his "np:" on his last post. which was:
>John Tejada 12 Volts of Soft Spread (Palette)
jeez, she's a quick one! :)
i just talked to John a few days ago - super guy - definitely one of the fastest
rising producers whom you "haven't" heard yet. he has releases due shortly on
Metroplex, Planet E, and R&S's Generations imprint. i think (but don't hold me
to it) that he mentioned something about Ferox as well.
i don't have Palette 001, but Palette 002 and 003 are both excellent. he still
sounds like the heir-apparent to Mathew Cogger's sound - but Tejada's music
really is fresh and exciting enough to not warrant comparisons with other
producers. if i'm not mistaken he recently released a new 12" on Plug Research.
you can also check out his short (but quite amazing) abstract cut on the _Plug
Research and Development_ compilation CD [which everyone should own - Steve
Pickton with Mark Broom (as 9 Machine) and Irdial's Akin Fernandez (as Ravens
Over Vienna) both put in appearances, as does Brian Williams (with a superb
Lustmord remix of a Phthalocyanine track). i'm trying to remember who is hiding
behind the "Low Res" pseudonymn.... (DFCTV Music?), and PR's latest discovery -
Smyglyssna - is worth keeping at least four ears on at all times.
okay;
Palette 002 - the Ebonics EP
holding it down
coupe de ville *
finna aks *
(* = with Arian Leviste)
sweet low-fi Detroit-istic tracks with a bit of a Kim Rapatti flavor. "coupe de
ville" is deep but certainly not punishing - probably a little too tracky for
folks who prefer their skittering Squarepushers and Amon Tobins, but - as En
Vogue and Earthling say - "free your mind and your ass will follow." what's a
white guy in California doin' with all this certifiable Motor City soul? one can
only guess. "finna aks" has more in common with Panasonic Lite than any
derivation of Detroit - steady pounding grooves built around loops of what are
either drippy faucets or ... drippy faucets. i'm willing to stake my shoes on
this one. the side-long "holding it down" falls right between Chi-Town and
Detroit - House rhythms with Planet E-lectronics. compare with Russ Gabriel or
Fred Giannelli - or don't. this one takes the dance-road-less-travelled just
when you think it's heading in the direction of tired retread. if you have a
House allergy, hearing Tejada's unquestionably intelligent take on same could be
as good as a full course of desensitization shots.
Palette 003 - 12 Volts of Soft Spread EP
soft spread
begin
spider belly
MANNEQUIN LUNG remix (ML = them Plug Research boyz, Joe n' Allen)
let's get obvious jokes out of the way - "soft spread" literally melts once the
needle drops. off-centre strings backlight a Plasticky bloop/bleep sequence
before the beats and cymbal-like clashes of dissonant notes take center-stage.
i can't seen anyone not falling in love with this beauty. another clever backing
track of orchestral snippings drives "begin" through a rhythm storm of 4/4 and
?/? programming. here's where the Neuropolitique-isms start to shine through;
it's the way Tejada locks into a groove by tweaking ear-catching samples.
Tejada's manipulations are rarely as vertiginous as Cogger's classic "Can't Get
Off The Slide" or "Mind You Don't Trip," but he uses the tactic adroitly. it
shows up again on "spider belly;" this time using a bit with sounds like the
security key-pad tones for a secret government lab. the door never opens, the
number sequence keeps changing slightly, and the tension mounts. see, there's
something ... inhuman... on the other side of the door. you can hear it
scratching at the steel and breathing. too-fast and too-shallow. the ML remix is
a good example of what Plug Research does so well; sounds like ordinary
run-of-the-Roland techno, right? maybe at first, but then the little things come
into focus... what IS that skipping sound? how did the bassline end up so buried
and muffled? will that melody ever develop past its first three notes? are the
beats getting faster, or am i losing my mind.
good music makes you think. great music makes you paranoid. ;-)
Palette 004 is either out now or due shortly.
curb that hunger by munching on Tejada's contribution to the DRUM KICK 12"
released by XLR8R Tracks. (tracks@xlr8r.com / www.xlr8r.com). these cats know
their 'choons, and their records show it. i think Tejada also has a track on
Organised Noise, but i have to check that. anyone know if they've released
anything since the excellent _Combine_ 12"?
the best refresher course in Tejada 101 is still his LUCID DREAM - _Pure Punk_
album on A13 - which, incidentally, is NOT run by Mark Broom. that's just a
common misconception which John asked me to clarify. so there ya go.
may i go to sleep now?
GuerillaG2-G4/ gg
gg2g4ink@sprynet.com
np: the american analog set - from our living room to yours (emperor jones)