(idm) Flora & Fauna

From Pietro
Sent Thu, Sep 16th 1999, 17:18

Re: Moder Jord / Flora & Fauna Records (Sweden)
http://hem3.passagen.se/bdl/

While experimental electronics seems to be
a style that i'm focusing on these days, Moder
Jord (Mother Earth) is also home to Flora (mainly
7" releases) and Fauna (mainly 12" releases). 
These folks are based in Stockholm, Sweden, so
you know there's something tricky going on here..

With the Moder Jord outfit, an artist by the name
of Pope just released a 7" entitled "Fridhemsplan,"
which also seems to be housed around the Flora
imprint, and although this may sound a bit confusing
Pope is basically a minimal techno collage of 
not so complex ambient structures, with a "sound"
similar to those on Profan, minus the clear crunch
of snapping beats. Pope is very smooth and relaxed
with subtle dub extracts to keep your mind moving.

With Flora's 7" release by Nya Sampan, it may 
be difficult for me to explain their approach at
balancing dub with infectious beats and innovative
electronics. However, i should admit that there
is an ever present reggae meets intelligent beats
and dub on this release that is both dark and
upbeat at the same time. Playable at either 45,
where you get the reggae/d'nb version (untitled
track), and at 33 where you get the reggae/hip-hop
version which i seem to enjoy a bit more..

On the Fauna imprint, Nya Sampan's "Roots Music"
12" provides many of the same sounds present on 
the untitled Flora 7". This time around, a hi-tech
backdrop of crispy percussive elements is the focus.

And last but not least, another 12" release on Fauna
by Slummer called "The Lion That Flies," combines
fierce yet simple electronica d'nb that is favoured
with flying bass drums, and live "sounding" instrumentation.
As one of the samples clearly states, "The drum
represents the heartbeat, the bass is the thought,
the lion that flies." There's also a remix on here
by Dot (on Dot Records i assume) simply called "Dot
Remix". This remix is probably the best of the lot.
Coherent sequencing, a flowing rhythm section, and
lots of bouncing low-ends. Oh, and before i forget
a track on here called "Clouds Away," is closed off
with a Sesame Street line that i found quite amusing..
Reminded me of Lucky Kitchen's quirky approach.

For more details, output, input, sounds and news,
check out Flora & Fauna for yourself to decide how
quickly or slowly you want to seek these fellas out!

Pietro.

_____________________________________
Pietro Da Sacco, m b m @ n e t c o r e . c a
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