So here it is. I have adopted the track-by-track approach, which runs
into problems on this album as some of the tracks run together. Not
to worry. The notes were scribbled on a bit of paper two nights ago
and transcribed this afternoon. I am not the most poetic of
reviewers, and describing sounds is intensely difficult, but I shall
try.
Speedy J - G-Spot. WARP CD27
_The FUN equations_ start things off with a repeated riff like a mild
alarm, almost a call to prayer. This builds to a gentle crunchy funky
track, good, yet which strikes me as a slightly skky start at the
time of writing.
Track 2 - _Ping Pong_ is a nice smooth house/techno track with a
lush, spacious sound and some dub overtones in the form of light
reverb. Nice. As the beat ceases and the hihats fade it runs straight
into _Fill 25_ - Namlookesque ambience for a few moments. Then a deep
dark quiet bassline signals the start of _Lanzarote_. The atmosphere
builds with quit stabs, cool rushing wind and snatches of a pretty
little melody. I guess it doesn't break any new ground in ambient
electronica, but it is certainly "done properly" - soothing but not
boring.
After fading to silence, the mood is gently broken by a rhythmic
pattern which is reminscent of, yet which could not be Autechre. This
_Extruma_ comes into being. Clattering snares, synth washes and a
part-formed tune complete the picture. Trouble is, this seems to just
carry on then stop.
But then things start to happen. A short repeated minor motif, lots
of atmosphere, more Autechre-ish backgrounds, slowly thickening
timbres. A gorgeous synth sound keens across the landscape. Boom. A
bassline joins the fray. Tension builds. A faint 303 riff starts to
gain ground. Blam - a funky break kicks in and we're off! More and
more things keep happening, a bass and 303 breakdown, the various
elements trading places in subtle ways. The whole is intense and
satisfying. It is called _The Oil Zone_. Yum!
_Treatments_: a clean jiggly synth line and some sweeps, then pingy
syndrums and mutant hi-hats. Apologies for menioning Autechre too
many times as a reference point, but this sounds like something they
would compose, but with a subtly different selection of sounds,
imparting a flavour all its own. A mellow 303 line checks in, and
occasional sub-bass too. The track brightens, and a piano chord
sequence joins in - Oh we are now in _Fill 17_.
But that doesn't last as the synth lines are mercilessly bent up and
down, and a menacing bassline kicks in, followed by a full round of
percussion. Again, the nature of the bassline and some reverb give an
implication of dub, but there are Kraftwerkish zaps and plenty of
crunchy things going on in the background too. This is the title
track.
Finally _Grogono_ starts with a squeaky synth tune, and develops into
a rich synth/strings soundscape. A fitting departure from an
excellent trip.
Overall at least 4/5, and at least as good as _Ginger_ . Perhaps this
album is slightly more than the sum of its parts, as one or two
tracks are a little weak on their own, but listen to the whole and it
all makes sense. I come away from this album feeling good. Not
battered, not rushed out of my head, not with my braincells trying to
unravel themselves, nor with them mellowed to the point of
inactivity.
Note that the LP features the same tracks in a slightly different
order, to accomodate those tracks which run together while
maintaining 4 sides of approximately equal length.
Enjoy.
J
^
James Skilton aka Steady J - jamess@firefox.co.uk
^---+
What's in the basket?
My Brother!