From Will Samuels Sent Fri, Oct 2nd 1998, 04:58
Here's my take on the Ultramarine. It's true that it doesn't sound anything like their earlier releases. Which is definitely a good thing! The album does fall somewhere near the Autechre type of IDM. My opinion on the album is that it is a step in the right direction, but there is definitely something LACKING. I don't really hear anything interesting going on. It's rather BLAND (to me). I would like to hear more experimentation, fresh sounds or at least some incredible melodies. I don't get any of those from this cd. It might be worth a listen if you are at a store that allows you to preview music. I personally wouldn't recommend buying the cd, but maybe keep an eye out for future releases or possibly even people remixing them. It doesn't really come anywhere near Autechre& Skam releases, when it comes to melodies, pushing boundaries, etc. ---cg <xxxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.xxx> wrote: > reprinted without permission: > Ultramarine "A User's Guide" > For those who haven't heard it, think Autechre/Gescom/Skam-ish stuff. > They've > dropped all their floaty, mellow ambience and gone beepy. They've got > a great > list of inspirations which can give you a better idea of the music > than I ever > could... > Inspirations: Survey, The Goblins' Dawn of the Dead Soundtrack, George > A > Romero, Charles Mingus, Thelonious Monk, Tony Williams, Dannie > Richmond, > William S. Burroughs, Allen Ginsberg, Eric Dolphey, Robert Wyatt, Carl > Craig, > Autechre, Lol Coxhill, Charles Linehan, Basic Channel, Green Velvet, > Scientist, A Certain Ratio, 4 Hero, Wendingen, Further Details, > Vorticists, > Samuel Beckett, The Simpsons, Seinfeld, Richard Brautigan, Shimizu. > >>>>>>> > > this disc is quite good. this is the first i've heard of ultramarine > so i cannot make the old-new comparison, but this definitely isn't > ambience. the similarity to autechre/gescom/skam is true enough in the > sounds (percussion for instance) although ultramarine tend to have a > bit more of a techno beat is most cases, while their > melodies/harmonies are more influenced by jazz (i see where the > mingus, monk inspirations come in..). no tracks stood out in > particular for me; they all are of a similar style and so kind of > blend together. it is a unique style - i would be able to pick out > more of their stuff as ultramarine i think. it is pleasant sounding > but not tedious or 'heard that a few times before eh'. oh and the > sounds make me think analog. bleepy is right. nice bleepy. often UM > have "fat" basses that resonate among notes. > in conclusion, analog jazzy notes with funky/groovy (and occassionally > techno) drums. good buy i think. > == > cg // > kracfive records:: http://kracfive.apex-it.com <<-recent update > > _________________________________________________________ > DO YOU YAHOO!? > Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com > > _________________________________________________________ DO YOU YAHOO!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com