(idm) Re: No U Turn

From Brock Suter
Sent Tue, Dec 30th 1997, 08:09

Here's a few replies to assorted comments re: No U Turn.

lwtcdi wrote:

> I agree, No-U-Turn are overrated, although they have put out some good
> stuff. I think the problem is their sound has not progressed. I have yet
> to hear any new stuff by them, so here's hoping they've given the old
> sound at least a new lick of paint... Torque was essentially more of the
> same and a nice roundup, but little else. Lets hope they push the
> envelope with forthcoming stuff. No more hoover bass or flat distorted
> bass, please!

I will agree with the statement that the No U Turn sound HAS got a bit
stale and the last release, 'cells', was a bit of a dissapointment too.

Although Nico was the one who started the whole tech thing, there ARE
quite a few people who have taken it quite a bit farther.  Boymerang is
one example, but it seems to me that he's fallen into the same trap and
all his tracks are starting to sound the same also.  No progression. 
Ditto for Panacea.  When the chrome stuff started to hit, I was all over
it.  I still get them all (and enjoy them), but how far can you go with
a distorted break?  

It's really the same bitch you all are making about hoover bass...

Nico was caught in a rut for quite some time, but it seams that he's got
his head on straight, so look for tons of new stuff (and new artists) in
98 that WILL be pushing the envelope once again!

> Meanwhile, Ed Rush is now blagging off Dom and Roland/Optical rather
> than Nico which makes his at least sound a little more interesting and
> different, but only credits him with the similar blagging tactics to
> Goldie and of generally being all bald head and no ideas. IMO.

While you are all slaging the No U Turn line up, remember that Dom AND
Optical are both (not so official) members of the crew, as is Fierce,
who I consider one of, if not THE, best jungle dj's on the planet.  

People like Ed Rush, Trace and Fierce ARE dj's first and foremost, but
they DO bring ideas into the studio and they do know what moves a
crowd.  Since they haven't been producing tracks for over ten years like
Nico, Dom or Optical, they ARE just learning their chops in the studio.

And ALL OF THEM are gearing up to wreck some fucking heads in the new
year, so watch out!
 
and Grievous said:

> and i LIKE _torque_, but next to panacea (or almost anything german) it's
> pretty weak.

Speaking of germans, the latest NuBlack was released last week (#5) and
it's two tracks of pure german drum and bass by Makai.  The a-side is
the Makai remix of Omen, which I love to pieces and think is head and
shoulders better then the Nico/Makai mixes that were on #4 (no hoover
bass!).  The flip is Overfiend, which is also a ripping tune.

I'm not sure if you No U Turn haters are aware of Makai (or Ono Sendi),
but they're 180 degrees opposite from Panacea.  Impeccably clean, smooth
as fuck, very linear, rock solid but still dark.  They do a lot of midi
drum programing, in contrast to the chrome kids, who use chopped and
distorted loops and like their shit noisy.

Me, I like it both ways...

Arthur B. Purvis says:
 
> >Well, I haven't heard all of it, but I've heard quite a bit (Torque + some
> >random 12"s) and all of it's been pretty terrible.  The same style
> >distorted, badly produced bass sound, the same 2step badly produced
> >drums, and some lame atmospherics.

So why did panacea sample all of the above noises?

Oh, I know...if you distort a 'distorted, badly produced bass sound' AND
ALSO distort the break until it's a fucking square wave, then its ok?

Maybe you need some new ears (or speakers)?
 
> >And I wanted to like it so badly - I
> >mean, dark drum and bass; this is an idea that inherently appeals to me
> >(as I'm sure it does to many of you, I won't explain any further).
> >Torque was easily the biggest letdown of the year.

Well, I thought it was quite nice and peacefully co-exists on my shelf
next to 'Low Profile Darkness'...

word to the mothership,

brock

np:  Death to the Pixies