About two months ago, I was turned on to the world of Drum n Bass by a
great event here in town, and am now in constant search for top quality
releases. I still haven't forgotten my roots, or this list, in these
reviews though... there's something here for everyone.
Photek: T.Raenon EP
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A: T.Raenon
B: T.Raenon (Version) / Kanei
A-Side guides in from a synthy intro to the beat. Usual D-n-B style
rhythms, but very well done in the mix with stringy sounds, and a quiet
chime throughout. Slow enough to chill to, or slow dance to, depending on
your mood.
B-Side (Version mix) of this EP is for IDM'rs around. Subtle, almost dreamy
beatline of minimal drumming lets you unwind from a hard night of clubbing.
No overt bass stabs, more of a flowing rhythm that lets you pull your
senses together.
Kanei pulls a little from the simple synth quirk field, and blends yet more
cool melodies with a laid-back beat. The groove is a simple pace that treks
on along without ever really gathering any steam. Good follow on from the
previous track.
Photek: Hidden Camera EP
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A: K.J.Z.
The Hidden Camera
B: The Hidden Camera (Static Mix)
Hybrid
This EP is a stark contrast to T.Raenon. KJZ starts us out with what I
would call "slowed down live d-n-b drumming". At least it sounds very much like
a live drum set, and very little like any drum machine I've ever heard. At
any rate, quite good, mixed in with, yep, some "live" bass, as in the
big wooden kind. A fresh listen the first couple of times around, but a bit
monotonous after a while.
The Hidden Camera tracks continue on this new spirit of jazz meets breaks.
It sounds quite like Ninja Tune meets the frontier of drum n bass. Very
funky stuff.
The Mike Flowers Pops Meets The Aphex Twin Downtown in
"The Freebase Connection" (whew!)
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A: Debase (The Aphex Twin)
Rebass (The Mellowtrons)
AA: MFP Chunks (Luke Vibert)
Freebass (Funki Porcini)
And just when I'd given up hope on ever hearing a quality release from the
guy that brought us Selected Ambient 85-92... This is one helluva good
listen. A female vocal (no spoken words, just the voice) survives
throughout the track, backed by some great melodies (yes, _melody_ in an
AFX track!). I'm wondering if maybe this is not the original, labelled as a
remix. Nah... it's definitely possible that Jamesy boy came through strong
on this track. I like.
Jazzed out samples and splish splash, a mix by The Mellowtrons. Collage form
at work here throwing bits and pieces around. Nothing too coherent, and not
on my "frequent listen" list anytime soon.
Vibert starts out with some lounge funky stuff, and a trumpet that I'd
swear was done up by u-ziq :). Great start to the track, which leads into
a nice chipper groove. The meat here is served straight up, with some quite
funky incidental noises thrown in the background. Almost sounds like a few
kitchen instruments being banged up a bit every once in a while. Brings a
smile to my face hearing some "dah dah dah dahs" also, and a few laughs
and "woos!". =8-)
Funki Porcini brings a great twist into this EP with a well brightly done
d-n-b style track. Trumpet flaring all over the place, just like you'd
expect from jazz improv, on top of some good drum programming. This whole
EP is a very fresh listen for me, and highly recommended.
Aux88
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A. Break It Down
B. The Countdown
I went in search of Electrotechno, but found this instead. And I'm amazed I
only paid $6.99 for it. Down right fresh nu-skool tuneage on this 2-track
EP. I like the b-side, which starts with a synthetic-female "5 minutes to
shutdown" vocal, and basically counts down in minute increments to the end
of the track, over more fresh grooves. Booty shakin' goin' on!
--
guyjr@cc.gatech.edu | I.D.M.- That stage in sleeping when your feet are
a.k.a., Guy Elden Jr. | moving faster than your eyes.