BASIC CHANNEL - QUADRANT ? (BC06)
Deep, minimal, subtle machine music from the ever-enigmatic Basic Channel
crew. Does anyone know what the full title of this release is, and is it a new
one? All I can make out is 'Basic Channel' and 'Quadrant' followed by something
else which I can't read properly (not Q1.1), followed by 'I' on one side and
'II' on the other. Anyway, version I is my favourite, building and dropping
throughout with a typical kick and subliminal bass, adding claps and hats as it
progresses, with snatches of vocal-type sounds and of course those trademark
soft, evolving, delayed metallic loops. Version II is simpler, starting with
white noise, building with the bass and kick, adding more complex loops and
echoes on the metallic sounds, then dropping until the end.
PHOTEK - NATURAL BORN KILLAS (Metalheadz 008)
3 cuts from the consistently excellent Metalheadz stable, with Photek at the
controls for a deep journey into drum 'n' bass. The main track, 'Consciousness',
is a pretty average ambient jungle tune, with 'intelligence, brought to the
surface of consciousness' samples and pleasant background washes. 'The Rain' is
similar, but 'Into the 90s' stands out for me - similar strucure but with the
breaks running at hip-hop tempo instead of the usual frantic jungle rhythms.
Excellent stuff in general, if not quite as good as Hidden Agenda's 'Is It
Love?' (MET009)...
ILLUMINATI OF HEDFUK - THE WORM TURNS
DJ FOOD - REFRIED FOOD PT 2 (both Ninjatune)
These have already been reviewed/discussed, so I'll briefly add my opinions.
'The Worm Turns' is a cool experimental tune - faster than a lot of trip-hop
stuff and with a more electronic sound. 'Refried Food Pt 2' is also good -
Autechre turn in a very good mix with interesting sounds and rhythms, and MLO
create a mellow jazzy feel. Paul Frankland produces a deep and menacing
atmosphere to finish off an interesting EP.
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Tom Churchill E-mail: tom@chrchfam.demon.co.uk
Techno/electronic DJ and musician