More reviews...
. Ekswyzia: Logans ep limited cdr (Phthalo)
The first in the PHTHALO label limited cdr release series is
by the mysterious Ekswyzia. This five track ep features the
same type of experimental electronic audio chaos as heard
on the previous PHTHALO label release by Phthalocyanine.
All five of these tracks, which range from two to seven
minutes in length, are composed of seemingly disjointed
rhythms, melodies, atmospheres, bleeps, buzzes, and sound
effects. But as you listen to each track of this audio chaos,
your ears begin make sense of the chaos and see the
beautiful structures within the chaos. This ep is definitely
not easy listening but then again, none of the PHTHALO
releases are supposed to be. I believe this ep has already
been sold out but the next release in the PHTHALO label
limited cdr release should be out soon. You can e-mail
PHTHALO at phthalo@pacbell.net to get in on this
excellent series. 8/10
. Titonton: Endorphin 12" (Metamorphic)
After releasing records on a handful of other labels,
Titonton returns with a new ep on the label where he
released his first 12" three years ago. This four tracker
again shows Titonton's talent for mincing different
styles within the same track. The a1 mixes polyrhythmic
percussion with smooth melodic chords and an acid-
sounding baseline giving the track a weird tech-house
sound. The a2 starts with a lot of looped spacey sound
effects, then a mutated 4x4 percussion starts in along
with smooth synth backdrops. Midway through the
track a squelchy baseline is added as well. The b1 starts
with smooth synths then builds with light 4x4 percussion,
high-hats and a squelchy baseline. Midway through the
track it goes into a smooth jazzy interlude then goes back
to the original track. The ep finishes with a d&b remix
of the b1 by Dego from 4Hero. This remix starts with
some d&b percussion with some spacey sound effects
in the background. Slowly other percussive elements
are added in including some breaks. About a third of
the way through the track some big base is added as
well as some dark haunting synths. Fans of Titonton's
previous releases know what to expect and won't be
disappointed. 4Hero fans will really like this remix.
Overall another good ep for Titonton and a solid
addition to the Metamorphic catalog. 7/10
. Process: Untitled 12" (Fatcat)
An excellent 5-track ep of very german-sound techno
& ambience from newcomer (?) Steve Barnes on the
eclectic Fat Cat label. The ep starts with a short
beatless ambient track. The a2 is a very gritty filtered
oscillating deep techno track sounding something like
substance meets various artists or pole. The a3 is
another beatless track that starts with haunting synth
washes over various clicks, pops & noises. Then
comes an intermittent deep rumbling baseline as well
as several more synth melodies & sound effects all
slowly washing in and out of the mix. The b1 is yet
another beatless track which features deep filtered
bc-styled ambience over various clicks, pops &
noises with sparse melodies and spacey sound effects
that slowly wash in and out of the mix. The ep finishes
with even more bc-styled filtered ambience that slow
builds into a dark dubby bc/m/cr-styled track with
deep muted percussion, haunting melodies and the
occasional distorted vocal sample. This is a great
ep for those who like the ambient basic channel,
profan, various artists, or pole stuff. Has Steve Barnes
done anything else because i definitely want to check
it out. 9/10
. Andrea Parker: Ballbreaker/Some Other Level 10" (MoWax)
After her somewhat disappointing Rocking Chair eps on
Mo Wax i was somewhat reluctant to get this without
hearing but after hearing it i realized that my reluctance
was unfounded. On this limited 10", Andrea delivers two
tracks of superb electro-tinged IDM not unlike that of
Funkstroung, Autechre or even Jega. The a-side starts
with spacey/electroish little sound effects then some
deep pounding midtempo base is thrown it giving the
track a shortlived downtempo electrofunk sound.
Shortlived because soon after some excellent
Funkstroungish breakbeats join the mix for the rest of
the track while the baseline stops & starts. The b-side
starts with intertwined light percussion & synth
melodies, very middle-eastern sounding strings,
spacey sound effects, and a deep squelchy baseline.
Halfway through the track the breakbeat percussion
kicks in and continues until the last third of the track.
On the last third of the track all percussion drops out
leaving only the spacey sound effects and baseline.
This is an excellent ep by Andrea Parker that fans of
Jega, Funkstroung and even old Aphex Twin would
really enjoy. 8/10
. Bannlust: Digital Tensions 12" (Craft/Sabotage)
This 6-track lp is by Marco Fischer who also records
as Krok on the German Science City label. Bannlust
had an excellent cd release on Craft/Sabotage a few
months ago now this is his second album and it
includes a remix by I-f, Dj Overdose and Helga
Lablaque who go under the guise Los Muchachos
Gruesos. The a1 starts with a downtempo squelchy
electro track with dark haunting chords. The a2 has
a much faster almost breakbeat pace with light
melodic synths, disjointed vocal samples and
more of your favorite electro noises. The a3 is a
very dark ominous synthy track with equally
dark breakbeat percussion. The b1 is a dark synthy
gurgling track that slowly builds into a squelchy
distorted electro groover. The b2 is a fast breakbeat
track over smooth melodies. The ep finished with
the Los Muchachos Gruesos remix. This mix is
a downtempo number with asian-sounding
melodies over distorted female vocals and
groovy hip-hop percussion. Another winner for
Bannlust that fans of quality electro-tinged idm
will really enjoy. Jega, Marco Passarani, old Aphex
Twin or Mu-Ziq will want to check this one. 8/10
. Tortoise vs Derrick Carter: Winter 12" (Thrill Jockey/City Slang)
Avande-indie rockers Tortoise continue to have
the talents of the electronic music world remix
their tracks and this is no exception. On this
remix ep, Chicago house producer Derrick Carter
retools Tortoise's Winter track into two deep house
gems. The a-side starts with a deep baseline and
4x4 percussion. Then remnants of Tortoise's
original track are sparingly dropped in over the
top. The only recognizable Tortoise elements are
a few intermittent guitar, synth and piano lines,
the rest is all deep 4x4 house. The b-side remix
is quite similar to the a-side mix but the remnants
of the original track are a little more prevalent in
this mix. Overall this is an excellent deep house
record that will probably introduce a lot of
tortoise fans to quality house music. 7/10