My own humble opinions of a few tracks I picked up in the last couple of days.
If these are common knowledge, and old news, then please ignore.
SANDOZ: Digital Lifeforms (TOUCH RECORDS TO:21)
CD: 70 mins
This is an extremely varied album in its composition and creativity. The
only common factor is around 130 bpm (+- 15). About half of the tracks I
would class as excellent, and the other half as just simply good. There is
no sitting on the fence with this album. Few if any soundscapes, minimal
use of filters, and really very little "ambient" content. Lots of hard
and adventurous sounds, most of which work brilliantly:
In terms of IDM:
i) Intelligent: Incredibly so. Either a lot of thought, a lot of art, or
a lot of both has gone into this album. You won't find yourself
bored.
ii) Dance: YES. You could try various styles from hard house to funk, and
you might even try trippin' on the melodies that haunt such
classic tracks as Limbo, Digital lifeforms and Zombie Astral.
iii) Music: No doubt about that. This is just as well bought on vinyl, for
its dance qualities.
In summary: If you come across it (somewhat rare?) then pick it up. I
doubt you will be dissapointed.
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JO BOGAERT: Different Voices (PLAY IT AGAIN SAM 800.0001.20)
CD: 42 mins
Sorry Jo, but I am remarkably unimpressed with this offering (personal
opinion of course). The excellent 12" "Water" belies the nature of this
rather simple CD. Most of the sounds are remarkably "synthesiser", and the
global image of the cover is certainly not realised fully enough in the
album. I won't say any more, because i think a lot of effort went into
it, and it deserves a good review from someone, just not me.
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SPICELAB: Lost in Spice (HARTHOUSE HART.U.K.CD2)
CD: 66 mins
This has to old news to most of you, but incase it is not....WOW
The complexity of sound in these four 20 minute 160 bpm tracks is quite
bewildering, and almost psychedelic in intensity. The production is quite
simply excellent. The tracks are (incase you have seen them as 12"'s)
Cold Chillin' : 16:57 159-162 BPM - Not great
Spicelab : 17:02 140 BPM - good
The last Supernova: 17:12 160 BPM - ZANG@#$! WOW...
Lost in Spice: 14:58 123-131 BPM - warms up, then great!
These tracks run along the lines of a composition, where loops and
melodies are brought in and out. Occasionally, and on the more mediocre
tracks the music degenerates into hardcore, but the drifting percussion
on The Last Supernova is unbelievable.
Advice: get it. Especially for a CD freak like me, who rarely finds this
stuff in silver.
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Disclaimer? F^ck that. It's my own personal taste. Take it or leave it.
Charles Wildig <u91clw@ecs.ox.ac.uk>
PS for all those who asked about Dave Spalding...he runs a show called the
Harbringer Hour, out of the Gulf of Mexico. The music is not EXCLUSIVELY
american, but he would be the man to ask about it. I just got a letter
yesterday telling me he is moving camp to California (I wonder why).
At the moment I am hoping he will join IDM, and i will release his address
if and when he gives me the go ahead.....
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*The story of creation was written in 200 words*