From EvilIzzo Sent Sat, Feb 13th 1999, 07:13
From EvilIzzo Sent Sat, Feb 13th 1999, 07:13
I decided to post this in case we have newcomers that may not be familiar with these (popular) CD's, and are afraid to ask. All of the discs listed are at the absolute TOP of this genre we call Intelligent Dance Music, and yet each has its own signature sound. Most importantly, all have a very accessable, listenable nature to them, and can be enjoyed without pre-requisite :) Here's the short list: Plaid - "Not for Threes" (Nothing / Warp) -- one of the best albums of recent times for IDM. Nice melodic breakbeat stuff. Not too experimental, yet far from conventional. A lot of the songs tend to move in "movements," especially the first three. They change style and tone but still manage to hold together nicely without losing thier mood. A lot of the disc has a 'lighthearted' feel to it, coupled with a strange, almost sinister undercurrents flowing within. Note tracks 3,7,10, and 12. Very diverse, well rounded album. Carl Craig - "More Songs About Food and Revolutionary Art" (Planet E) Probably the best IDM full length of '97 (That I've heard) Not like his earlier, Detroit sounding "Paperclip People" releases. This is much more experimental and timeless. Can go from dark and foreboding to lush and uplifting. Carl Craig is not often acknowledged on the list, probably because of his roots in Detroit Techno. This album IS idm, it just doesn't sound like it came from Warp. Expand your horizons without leaving the genre, and check this one out. Kraftwelt - "Retroish" (Hypnotic) Lush, deeply melodic German IDM. German in that the melodies have a simple, repetitive, analogue sound. Each song layers atmospheric and hypnotic textures that build upon each other in a classic and familiar sense. The sound and stlye are not new, hence the title, but it works well enough to be placed at the top of 1998's releases. I bought this at the same time that I bought "Not For Threes," and I still flip flop as to which I prefer. Sun Electric - "Present" (Apollo) Sun Electric's best CD in my opinion. Another example of a CD with a distinct flavor. A perfect progression from the Ambient House sound of "Kitchen." Strange, twisting, often jazzy melodies set in a unique breakbeat style. The only way to describe Sun Electric is to say that they sound like Sun Electric. Very unique Idm. Thier most recent CD, "Via Nostra," is a good follow up to "Present" with more of a jazzy overtone. Orbital - "2" and "In Sides" -- (FFRR) You did'nt mention Orbital in your email, so in the off chance you don't have these two CD's, stop reading now and go get them. V/A - "The Knights Who Say Dot" (DOT) An excellent compilation often overlooked. Very mature, jazzy breakbeat IDM with tracks from the likes of: Hab, Friend, Quant, Tupilaq, and Placid Angels (John Beltran). The Tupilaq and Placid Angels tunes sound like Dead Can Dance meet IDM. And it works. The Hab, Friend and Quant tunes are like twisted electro - lounge music. This CD represents the height of IDM sophistication. In my opinion, if you like IDM, you will be very impressed with each of these discs, each for different reasons. You can't go wrong with any of them. -----------------------Izzo was here.........