(idm) 13/4 and re: disjecta?

From Brad Shelton
Sent Thu, Dec 11th 1997, 14:06

>Big deal.  Not to dis DJ Suv for being brave enough to venture 
>outside the confines of 4/4, but T-Power does 13/4, which is a 
>bit more difficult. Try counting out "13 Over 4" on Breakbeat 
>Science 2.

"Odd" time-signatures are actually not that big-a-deal[a]. For example,
a 13/4 measure could be subdivided by the musician (whether programming
or playing live) into two 4/4 bars + one 5/4 bar. Alternatively, the
musician could break it down as three 3/4 bars + one 4/4 bar... there
are many combinations. The point is, whacky-sounding time-signatures are
in many cases the musical equivalent of "$10 words"[a].. the same can be
accomplished with fundamental 3/4 and 4/4 measures in combination.

That having been said, I'm skeptical that the T-Power track in question
is 13/4. If it was, you'd be hearing 3 pretty standard d-n-b measures
(the 4/4) with an extra beat thrown in here and there (the lone 5/4),
nothing too terribly extreme[a]. The title "13 Over 4" may refer to time
signature but it may just as well refer to a much more funkified
polyrhythmic idea, cramming/embossing 13 subdivisions into/onto a
standard 4/4 structure. Now *that* would be something. :)

[a] But still musically interesting.


> Any hints on whether or not to buy Disjecta (burnished gold cover, 
> something "pit" something something ??) which is on not greatly 
> reduced sale - only one copy (Warp).
> 
> Also : There's a copy of Off & Gone "Everest" (Harthouse) - same 
> price situation (ie +- 2/3 full price).  Is this worth it?

I like the Disjecta just fine, but it's a hard listen. In my opinion it
doesn't have much of a Seefeel sound at all. Try before you buy, I'd
say. The previous Disjecta, "Looking for Snags", is a better starting
place if you're interested in Clifford's solo work.

I'm surprised nobody's spoken up yet about the Off & Gone.. it's gotten
some very positive attention from a few list members in the past. Their
comments prompted me to pick it up on sight a few weeks ago, and I was
not disappointed. Their sound is hard to describe, which is probably the
best recommendation; they aren't a sound-alike outfit. All but a couple
of tracks feature 303(-ish) lines, and a couple make use of a female
vocalist (sampled and manipulated) to great, great effect, and there's
even a flanged guitar on track 5. The beats are inventive and original
(some are stellar) while retaining a solid trance vibe. Pick it up. :)

- Brad
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