As 1995 draws to a close I find myself ruminating about those pesky
annual conclusions. What ground was covered this year and who was
leading the way? Trivial to some, but instrumental in the blueprinting
of (as ozy would say) "the state of our art". After all, records like
69's "4 jazz funk classics" need good company, right! So the super bowl
(huh?) of techno plays out in my mind and the final seconds of 1995 are
ticking off the clock.
Alive in 95 (part one::the ectomorph)
Ectomorph :: Stark EP (Interdimensional Transmissions No.2)
Setting the standard for the year that techno electro would finally get
a tip of the cap from the mainstream ('bout time now back the fuck off)
was the brilliant "Ectomorph No.1". Really, I'm quite perplexed that,
given the strength and definitivity of such a 12" (both aesthetically
[smokey wax, lock grooves, etchings galore, and backwards mastering] and
musically [rocketing boxes]) that everything following in it's wake was
not swamped in of sea of whackness. Subsonic vibrations are unstopable!
Par for the course, the lightweight bandwagonshit got all the press.
Still, this internet music-caster had a Crispy Whipped Tailback out of
Michigan pegged for Rookie of the year. It was really a lock! And
then along comes The Stark EP in a depth charge. Now it's a lock times
ten. 313 12" of the year. Making waves and messin up wakes.
Welcome to post season play.
Warning: Please stretch out before dropping the needle.
The A side kicks off with "Satori" which is right up on the level where
you are left after sliding your No.1 back into it's slip cover. Yet,
slapping snares and breathy vocal cushions raise the ante this time
around. Tick a tick tick high hats join a super groovy low PH bass line
which dips into twinkle twinkle dimensionalisms. This is about
as good as it gets. The following cut, "Silver" slips stylistically
somewhere between DBX and Detrechno. Pumping bass kicks and heavy hand
claps 'entangle' (yes that allusion is intentional) into progressive
bleep out and woodblock techno boxwork. Quivering like unrestrained
mercury, stripped down stark naked and gigglein'!
The flip side starts up with what the promo sheet refers to as....
"...individual parts of a variable track, allowing a DJ with 2 copies to
create a unique mix every time." "Karmic Funk (some assembly required)"
is indeed a collection of 10 loops dissected and waiting for your re
arrangement. DAMN!! What more can I say about having 10 fucking so
dope lock grooves that you don't already comprehend?!?? Plenty. In
particular the word EMPOWERMENT comes to mind. Finally, a clear cut
case when the DJ becomes ARTIST as well. A strange moment that helps me
grasp the definition of our 'techno utopia' philosophy. OK Teep, cut
the kosmic bull shit and tell them to just get 2 copies and get live.
Yeah, but my point is that it's a fine day when records this intelligent
can be so fucking head on ballistic. That's all I really mean to say...
Bra-vo.
The final cut, Time Fold, surges right up from the grooves
represented on No.1. Familiar, finger snapping, rifling cymbal and
snare shaft drive. Bouncy bass funk and reverberated melodelics grease
it up with a reprise of freshly squeezed vocal juice. Super produced
vibes dart around the stereo signal and in your face production adds the
correct analog posture. This is lethal funk bizness and someday, it's
going to give me a heart attack on the dance floor...smiling ear to ear
as I go down. GoGo call the cops over here! 5/5
Teep
interdimentional transmissions
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