(idm) Re: tortoise

From Michael Stein
Sent Thu, Jun 3rd 1999, 05:56

>i havent heard their cd yet, but was just wondering if they are idm or
>have elements of idm in their music.  are there vocals? i noticed
>autechre remixed a song of theirs

Tortoise are, for lack of better words, neo-jazz instrumentalists, but the
term "post-rock" (thank you Simon Reynolds) seems to be used more
frequently.  The group is primarily a collective of Chicago musicians who
have worked in and with other groups (Sea & Cake, Gastr del Sol, Mekons,
Poster Children, the list goes on...).  John McEntire might also be known in
IDM circles for his production of Stereolab and his remix of Coldcut.  

Their music is not exactly IDM, it fits well with the more experimental jazz
oriented electronica - recent Fat Cat output and the last Squarepusher LP
come to mind.  The group, however, are very interested in DJ culture and
have enlisted remixes by the likes of Spring Heel Jack, Luke Vibert, UNKLE,
Oval, Autechre, and Derrick Carter.  They have also appeared on IDM oriented
compilations such as Virgin's "Macro Dub Infection" and MoWax's "Headz 2A."
All of the 12" remixes from the "Millions Now Living Will Never Die" are
collected on the "Remixed" CD.  I HIGHLY recommend this CD, in my opinion,
the best remix compilation album out there.

For more info on the group see:

http://www.brainwashed.com/tortoise/

Mike.