The Aphex Twin : Classics (R&S)
If you hate analogue synths, you'll like this one; merely because for
the most part, it is their death-rattle. Richard D. James flanges,
filters, distorts and generally tortures his equipment to create some of
the most fucked sounds around. This is the sound of the experimental
tracks from _SAW2_ put through a mincer and slapped onto some of the
most hideous beats ever. For this reason alone, it is unmissable.
However, if you have some of these tracks already, you should know that
the rest are pretty much the same; not that they're unoriginal or crap
but that they are _all_ noisy, intense pieces of aural shrapnel. This
LP leaves large amounts of cranial scar-tissue and I reccomend it most
vigorously. Don't however, buy it for the bonus live version of
_Digeridoo_ which is crap. Oh, and try to get the limited edition light
blue transluscent vinyl version so you can pretend to small children
that you are eating a large mint. Or something.
Jedi Knights : May the Funk be With You (Clear)
The Reload lads go electro in a funk stylee. One of the tracks could be
off of a funkier _Collection of Short Stories_; the other ain't half as
entertaining unfortunately. It works together quite nicely tho' and if
it is representative of the forthcoming Clear releases, I'll be a very
happy bunny indeed. Mike Paradinas' _Bantha Trax_ (under the name
Tuscen Raiders) is the next release; can't bloody wait...
V/A : Trance Atlantic
Another top quality TEX compilation; this time, showcasing US talent.
You should know what they're like by now and this is no exception; just
top quality tunes and one of the most informative magazine-type booklets
around. Highlights are the swoosy Curtin track and (as always) the Carl
Craig one.
Patrick Pulsinger : Dogmatic Sequences II (Disko B)
Some startlingly good techno that draws it's influence from just about
everywhere. Distorted, jazzy stomps merge with 70s cop show themes for a
full on, extremely funky EP. These tracks have an energy about them
thats hard to describe; each one ends up being incredibly fun and pretty
thoughtful simultaneously. Pulsinger is a guy to watch out for...
Sluts'n Strings & 909 : Steamin' Promises EP (Cheap)
...and here's another reason why. This EP dumps the techno side of
_Dogmatic..._ and jumps into bed with Chicago house and some more crazy
jazz n'disco samples. The end result is a more danceable 12, even
funkier than before. What also makes this extremely desireable is the
image on the label. It's a picture of Barry Gibb and Barbara
Streisand; Gibb has the word 'cheap' printed across his neck. Buybuybuy.
LA Synthesis : Agraphobia (Plink Plonk)
I was relatively unimpressed on the first listen, but this one creeps up
on you fairly slowly. Vague acidity and the distant richness of melody
combine for a comfortable housey ride. Flip it over for a rhythmic,
experimental workout and a final weightless, ambient journey into the
land of lush Roland pads. Nothing outstandingly original, but hey, who
cares; this is mediocrity at it's most enjoyable
V/A : Out There - A Thread Through Time (T&B)
A massive 4LP compilation of intelligent, well chosen electronica by
Twitch and Brainstorm. This comp brings together tracks from the
ambient-industrial, IDM and experimental areas and each one compliments
the others brilliantly. It's quite a dark compilation though and jumps
straight in with the opening track, :Zoviet France:'s predatory
_Synaesthetica_. The highlight's include the 0 tracks and the brilliant
_Dancing Ghosts_, the first ever 303/808 track from the year 1983. The
Black Dog track is unusually simplistic and accessible; still ace
though. A number of the artists featured here are from the Mighty Reel
studios, so at times it reads like a roll-call for Edinburgh talent.
Despite this showcasing, _Out There_ is an amazing and unusual
compilation. The variety of tracks is immense, yet they all go together
so well; the mark of a well thought out compilation.
Like A Tim : Audio Art (Djax Upbeats)
More quirky, likeable lunacy from Like A Tim. No great departure from
his other releases but if you like his stuff, here's some more of the
same. Like A Tim stuff makes me grin.
Autocreation : ? (Inter Modo - Promo)
Two tracks, _Tomato Dawn_ and _Bone_; both of which are dark,
mysterious, repetitive and faintly menacing. Locust and chums use dark,
evolving atmospheres and slowly build each track to paranoid effect.
Accomplished, yes; but ultimately too damn scary to listen to.
Edge of Motion : Memories of the Future (New Electronica[?] - Promo)
White promo with no label details; the cat. looks like a New Electronica
one though. The first track has a sea of warm, lush pads and floating
amidst it is a lazy, hip-hop beat. Think of Yantra's _The Birth of the
Stars_ and you'll be there. The flip has a minimal, drier Air Liquide
sound to it; fairly forgettable. The A-side is highly recommended
however; I'm a sucker for lushness and spliffed out 'hop beats.
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