Dave Angel - Handle with Care (Blunted)
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I'm only reviewing the first of the two 12"s here (it's all I could afford
today). I'm a *big* fan of Dave Angel, and this doesn't disappoint. 'Bump' is
the standout - wicked electronic jazzy groove over a solid, well-programmed 909
base, with trademark squiggles of melody injecting it with a human feel.
'Be-Bop' is less straightforward, cut-up techno, and the remix of 'Airborne' is
a solid, dependable groove. Overall, it's excellent.
Wagon Christ - Redone (Rising High)
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Been around for a few weeks now, but I'm glad I snapped it up. Vibert's own
take on 'Reedin' is nice - subtle junglist programming under a jazzy,
live-sounding jam, only slightly marred by annoying speeded-up speech samples.
The Boymerang mix is more orthodox ambient drum 'n' bass, pleasant enough, but
not particularly outstanding. Aphex Twin mix. Wow! Loosely based around the
ideas of jungle, he creates a percussive masterpiece - hyper-complex filtered,
pitchbent, flanged, phased, distorted, metallic, intricate pieces of what might
once have been a breakbeat are shaped into a very interesting piece of
futuristic drum'n'bass. I can't wait for his 'Hangable Auto Bulb' EP...
see ya
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tom churchill e-mail: tom@chrchfam.demon.co.uk
electronic musician/dj
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