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::::: ( (_ (_) \_/ ( (_ \/\/ _) ::::V 001.4 ::::
(in this issue)
Wagon Christ : Redone EP (Rising High)
Cylob : Industrial Folk Songs (Rephlex)
Kinesthesia : Volume III (Rephlex)
Aphex Twin : Donkey Rhubarb (Warp)
Doctor Rockit : Read To Rockit (Clear)
Jake Slazenger : MakesARacket (Clear)
(in this issue)
::: Wagon Christ : Redone EP (Rising High RSN 114)
Luke Vibert with yet another EP, this time of remixes from the
Throbbing Pouch. The A side features a remix of Reedin in typical Wagon
Christ style but is overshadowed by the brilliance of the second side.
The Aphex Twin remix opens the flip side with a delicious afx
interpretation of jungle, distorting its form and breaking it up in to
short sharp bursts of noise. If this is the future I like it. The second
track, the oven baked mix, is equally attractive with its ethereal breaks
and pushing jungle percussion. Best 12" of the summer.
::: Cylob : Industrial Folk Songs (Rephlex CAT015)
The long awaited second EP by Chris Jeffs finally arrives under the
Cylob pseudonym. Continuing the Rephlex effort for experimentation
with format and packaging, this release comes on marbled grey vinyl
wrapped within a casing of polystyrene. The first track is a perfect
illustration of the sound I attribute to the name Chris Jeffs - cold,
hard noise played in sequences and constructed into banging rhythms.
That's followed up by a cold ambient track that features what sounds like
the buzzing of those killer bees from the classic films, very eery. The
second side continues with more banging and screeching and finally ends
with sounds like Chris Jeffs gone nuts in his mums kitchen. Not for the
faint of heart.
::: Kinesthesia : Volume II (Rephlex CAT014)
Hot on the heels of Cylob comes the second volume in the Kinesthesia
series from Chris Jeffs, along with a reissue of its excellent
predecessor, Volume I. The EP opens with another blisterning audio
assault in the form of Meltdown Man before we again run into the track
Lave Trader, a dissapointment since its seen no changes since its debut on
TEEX3. The second side is Chris Jeffs at his best with the quirky
breakdowns of Quadrephlex and the shuffling beats of the excellent
Plouth. A strong followup to a brilliant record, look out for Volume I if
you don't already have it.
::: Aphex Twin : Donkey Rhubarb (Warp WAP63)
The first thing that strikes you about the latest EP from Richard James
is his continued efforts to create the most unattractive artwork and
silly titles possible, just to show you he cares. The steel drums of
Donkey Rhubarb work suprisingly well against the melodies and punchy
beats giving it a very upbeat flavour but I can't say that it holds my
attention very long. Vaz Deferenz is a delicious soup of squirts, slides,
bubbles, and beats and at times a nightmare to listen to, I love it.
The Philip Glass orchestration of Icct Hedral is certainly the oddball
amongst this foursome, its explicit lack of electronics makes it appear
rather out of place. Nevertheless, it still translates as a very powerful
piece of music, even if I do miss the raw electrical rumblings of RDJ.
The last track, Pancake Lizard, is a slow tear-jerking track framed by
staccato strings and a plodding but somehow funky rhythm section. A
decent EP, but somehow its leaves me hungry - bring on the mashed potatos.
::: Doctor Rockit : Read To Rockit (Clear CLR411)
A tasty 2x10" on Clear, apparently by Matt Herbert aka Wish Mountain.
It's really quite a diverse mixture of sounds, from the jungle to ambient
to electro to house, it's all in there, wrapped around some strange
samples and some of the unique sounds that derive from Herberts slightly
unusual noise making talents. Though this diversity makes it impossible
for me to communicate the feeling of this record without going into great
detail, I can say that its definately one of my highlights from the last
few months. From the lush jungle beats of "Cameras and Rocks" to the
smoothed out ambience of "Photos and Pebbles," this is certainly one to
look out for.
::: Jake Slazenger : MakesARacket (Clear CLR410)
Yet another release from the prolific Mike Pardinas. Much has already
been said about this album, and I have to disagree with the notion that
this is just another selection of tracks from the Mu-Ziq vaults. The
alter ego Jake Slazenger really does create his own personality with this
record, encompassing a certain focus that does allow him a significant
degree of seperation from his good friend Mu-Ziq. Of course, Mike P's
low-fi style and trademark distortion is still rampant, and have added
another brilliant record to his already impressive discography. From the
mad acidic funk track "Acid Pope" to the beautiful "Daytime Kiss" it truly
is a great record. Some of these tracks have such catchy hooks and melodies
you'll be humming them for weeks to come - a supermarket electrofunk
classic. Brilliant.
:: Alan M. Parry
:: fluid@hyperreal.com
:: <finger me for PGP key>
::
http://hyperreal.com/~fluid