From Lance C McGannon Sent Sun, Dec 28th 1997, 08:22
From Lance C McGannon Sent Sun, Dec 28th 1997, 08:22
A few reviews to interrupt your regularly scheduled flame wars... . Phoenecia: Randa Roomet 2x12" (Warp) The Schematic & Soul Oddity masterminds, Josh Kay and Romulo Del Castillo, return for four excellent tracks of melodic electro and d&b flavored electronica. My favorite tracks are the uptempo Gescom-ish "Y-Intercpnkt" and "Can" but none of the tracks will disappoint. This release will definitely please the ears of the Musik Aus Strom, Skam, Schematic, v/vm and Ae fans. 8/10 . Monolake: Hongkong cd (Chain Reaction) This cd compiles the two Monolake 12"s on Chain Reaction with the Monolake 12" on Din plus two previously unreleased tracks that were recorded during live performances in Hong Kong and Guangzhou. On one of the new tracks, Mass Transit Railway, Monolake is assisted by Imbalance artist Wieland Samolak. If you are unfamiliar with the previous Monolake releases, the tracks on this cd are in the classic basic channel/chain reaction style of grungy dubby techno & ambience. The closest comparison in style would be last year's Porter Ricks: Biokinetics cd. If you enjoyed that one then you'll love this cd. I recommended it highly. 9/10 . Mannequin Lung: The Art of Travel cd (Plug Research) Joe Babylon and Alan Avanessian, Plug Research label owners & operators, release their first album under their Mannequin Lung guise with the help of Raffi Taschian, Divine Styler and John Tejada on a few tracks. Featured on this cd are fifteen tracks of superb experimental techno and electronica including the excellent building minimal techno track "The Silver State" which was on the recent Plug Research & Development comp 2x12." Other tracks of note range from the mid-tempo polyrhythmic build of "Nineveh 820 B.C.," to the luscious strings of the downtempo "Jealous Igwanas," to the e2-e4 sample-driven minimal techno builder "The Silver State," to the sultry slow electro-swing of "Chai," and the basic channel goes disco sounding " At the Car Wash." The most impressive thing about this release is the truly unique and refreshing sound that Mannequin Lung gives each of their tracks. I've had an advance of this release for over a month now and the only problem i have with it is that i have trouble picking which tracks to play out since there are so many good ones on this release. An outstanding start for the Plug Research label in '98. 10/10 . From Beyond, vol 3 comp 12" (Interdimensional Transmissions) The third comp in the four-part From Beyond series features more of the same new-school electro as featured on the previous two comps. This 12" showcases tracks from Frankie Carbone (aka Mannequin Lung & R.E.A.L.M.), Spacelings & Bassheads, Will Web, and an Krok/Ectomorph track. My favorite track is the Ectomorph remix of Krok's "Amp Error" but the funky plodding melody of the Spacelings & Bassheads "Never Trust a Coward" is close behind. The five lock grooves are a nice treat as well. More top notch new-school electro which we've come to expect from the Interdimensional Transmissions label. 7/10 . Porter Ricks: s/t cd (Mille Plateaux) This is more of a Porter Ricks compilation really compiling the all the Porter Ricks 12"s on Force Inc - two Redundance 12"s, the Spoil 12" and the Exposed 12" - plus two previously unreleased tracks. I didn't like the spoil/spoiled or the expose/exposed tracks but they constitute just four of the twelve tracks on the cd. The rest of the tracks, culled from the Redundance 12"s are well with having & are much in same style as the Porter Ricks releases on Chain Reaction. The two new tracks, Scuba Lounge and Decay Chart, are both deep enveloping ambient pieces that are the real highlights of this release. 7/10 . As One: Planetary Folklore cd (MoWax) In this, Kirk DeGorgio's sixth album, he is in his full-on jazz mode much in the same vein as Carl Craig's Innerzone Orchestra outfit or the recent Reflection releases on Clear. On Planetary Folklore Kirk produces ten tracks of lush armchair jazz and electronica that will please both the jazz enthusiasts and the fans of previous As One releases. I didn't particularly care for the male vocals on "Away From All of This" but aside from that track, this is an outstanding release - by far one of the best As One releases. 8/10 BTW: Don't forget our Inaudible netcast every Wednesday from 9-11 pm Eastern Standard Time. Hear John C (Bent Crayon) and I spin two hours of the music we speak so highly of... The show will be accessible by visiting http://www.wcsb.org every Wednesday from 9-11 pm EST. The show will be broad- cast in the AudioActive format (which is actually much better than RealAudio). You can download the Audio Active plugin for free at http://www.audioactive.com/player/ During the Inaudible show we will be giving away promo 12"s and cds so yet another reason to tune in. If you need any more info email us at xxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxx.xxx or xxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx -->-Lance--- p.o. box 450715 westlake, ohio 44145 united states