IDM TIMES
IDM TIMES
One in an occasional series of critical looks at contemporary electronic
music.
VANGELIS: Blade Runner
Atlantic 82623-2
If you doubt the suitability of this item for discussion on the IDM list,
then you haven't listened to it. From the sweeping tones of "Main Titles"
through the trance electro drum programming on "Blush Response," this shows
that for one brief shining instant, Vangelis really had something
interesting to say. Although, also worthy of note is "Invisible
Connections"... experimental and brilliant - so much so that it routinely
ends up on the bottom of a typical Vangelis' fan's "favorite albums" list.
Which means that it HAS to be good...
Anyway, despite its unjust stay in limbo for the past 12 years, the Blade
Runner soundtrack still sounds fresh and innovative. Which is either an
amazing compliment, or a veiled swipe at the current crop of electronic
soundsters - you make the call. My one complaint is that there's not enough
stuff from the movie. (Four new tracks not from the movie were added to
make this more of a Vangelis album and less of a soundtrack. Oh well.)
TRANS-GLOBAL UNDERGROUND
Dream Of 100 Nations (Nation NR21 CD)
Earth Tribe/Slowfinger (Nation NR29 CD)
Nation is fast becoming one of the top British dance labels, and
Trans-Global Underground is one of its best acts. On the album "Dream of
100 Nations," hip hop loops are mixed with techno synths, sounds from around
the world, house piano, the occasional rap (but this ain't no 2 Unlimited,
believe you me), gorgeous ethnic vocals, funky guitar, and just about
everything else under the sun. Great tunes, great grooves, an uplifiting
vibe - sort of a more ethnic version of Strange Cargo III. A real worldly
head trip.
The "Earth Tribe/Slowfinger" single is very different however - most of the
mixes are pure dancefloor stompers, with solid 909 work and what you might
call Ethnotechno feel (see below). Although the liner notes claim that there
are mixes by The Drum Club and Delta Lady (aka Secret Knowledge), it's hard
to tell what's what. For one thing, the sleeve lists 3 tracks whereas there
are 4 on the CD. Furthermore, the original album is of little help since
the tracks bear almost no resemblance to their original incarnations.
Fortunately, it's all good.
Big BIG thumbs up for Trans-Global Underground.
TRANCE EUROPE EXPRESS TOO
Volume TEEX CD2
There's a lot to like about Volume's productions - mainly the huge amount of
music and information you get for your money. This is the second in their
dance series, "Trance Europe Express" and it's safe to say that if you liked
the first one, you'll like this one. Musically, I think this one might even
have the edge, but it's hard to compare since I burned out on the first one
a long time ago. I like the most of Disc 1 and at least half the tracks on
disc 2, which is a pretty good ratio for a compilation. Standouts: the
ever-reliable Speedy J, Eat Static's heavily swung mayhem, another winner
from Irresistible Force, a return to form for the Orb in their FFWD guise,
and a smashing number from Hardfloor. And of course, who wouldn't like two
80 minute CDs and a full color magazine for $20?
DIVINATION: Ambient Dub Volume One
Subharmonic SD7001-2
I know this is really old but I wanted to mention it at least once because I
think it's a mighty fine album. Booming dubby bass (big shock) and cool
atmospheres and drum loops. You might even mistake it for an Orb record if
you're not paying close attention. Only one track gets slightly annoying
with some harsh female singing that feels like it's gonna rip your eardrums
out. Overall though, mighty fine.
ETHNOTECHNO (Sonic Anthropology Volume One)
TVT 7211-2
WaxTrax making the big foray into the domestic comp market. This one is
pretty good - a strong starter with the double wallop of an incredibly heady
& psychedelic Juno Reactor opus (they just get better and better) and my
favorite track from Sabres Of Paradise, "RSD." Other strong entries include
Steel Porn Rhino, Moody Boyz and those wacky Exist Dance guys as High
Lonesome Sound System. Overall, I have to confess that I'm actually
surprised at how good this is. I didn't think there was a lot of life left
in the "plundered ethnosample" genre but most of the tracks here manage to
work it properly. Good stuff.
SUZUKI K1: Satellite Serenade
AO oracd 03
Finally. I've been looking for a copy of The Orb remixes of Keiichi
Suzuki's "Satellite Serenade" for ages. I even tried to order the original
album from Japan, but no luck. Well, somebody took heed and put out this
lovely CD single with four mixes. Oba contribute the Saturday Mix and
Sunday Mix - both sweet trance; the latter with more in the way of drums.
Then it's The Orb with the Transasianexpress Mix and Dub. The former is the
real gem: lovely plucked guitars and patented Orb-style ambience giving way
to a solid techno spaceout. Closest I can come by way of comparison is the
Voices Of Kwahn stuff. Anyway you slice it, this is a beautiful track in
all its forms.
EAT STATIC: Implant
Planet Dog BARK CD 005
Who would've thought that some of the most amazing dance music could come
out of a rock band? For those who don't know, Eat Static is the side
project of Ozric Tentacles, who are a really excellent psychedelic
rock/dub/synth/weirdness band. All I can say is that they make me sick, cos
not only are they the best rock group ever, but they're also one of the most
amazing techno groups working right now. This album has cool noises by the
dozen. It's basically split 50/50 between fast dance tracks and slower,
more groovy stuff, but it's all wonderful. Just get it.
SPEEDY J: Beam Me Up!/Pepper/Live '94
Warp WAP 46 CD
More good stuff from Jochem Paap. Beam Me Up! is remixed into a funky house
groove thanks to Rene van der Weyde of Pegasus Records (PG1, Disco Anthem).
Pepper is toughened up for the dancefloor by Paap himself. The real gem is
"Live '94" which is a set of tracks from Ginger reworked into a lovely 15
minute opus.
SEEFEEL: Starethrough
Warp WAP 45 CD
For a while it looked like Seefeel could do no wrong and were just getting
better and better. Unfortunately, this release is a disappointment. Slow
tracks with uninteresting tunes that go nowhere. No catchy dub grooves,
just a lot of self-indulgence. Shame.