(idm) Another take on Ultramarine: a users guide cd

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
> 
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