From fix8 Sent Sun, Jun 7th 1998, 16:22
From fix8 Sent Sun, Jun 7th 1998, 16:22
Well after playing my first dj set last thursday - displaying my total
lack of mixing skill (just crossfaded everything over - im still
learning and dont have the dj set up) i decided that it was also about
time to review some stuff. THis is my first attempt at reviews so id
apprecitate any feedback. Also i dont need to send this to idm-r do i ?
someone else will just transfer it wont they? Any way hope you enjoy the
following...
Voiteck - live at your mama's + bonus mix of truck music 01-09 (Truck
Music):
As the name suggests this is recording presents segments of Voiteck
Anderson's (td5 - plug research/truck music) live sets from 96 - 98. I
had heard previously that Voiteck Anderson's (td5) live set was harder
and more danceable than his actual releases so upon seeing this release
in a local store I grabbed it after a quick listen. The disc definitely
contains material that is harder than td5's track on the plug research
and development compilation and is more in line with the first track on
the td5 liquid paper ep 12" on plug research.
While the PR&D track contains some interesting noises I prefer the
liquid paper ep because it has equally interesting sounds but fine
rhythm and pace. This live disc has the same qualities starting off with
polyrhythmic layers of crunchy percussion Voiteck tweeks away adds in
synth like melodies, blips and sounds (sorry I'm not to good at
equipment trainspotting - I don't know what he's using bout it sounds
great) strips them away and then adds new sounds. Often then the
percussion begins to subtly shift as new elements are added to take the
set in a new direction. At times Voiteck returns to sounds that were in
the mix earlier or shifts the whole direction of his set instantly -
jumping into new rhythms and noises. All of the 6 sets (ranging in
length from 1:50 to 20:40 sustain interest and pace throughout -
Voiteck balances skillfully, repetition and variation to ensure
enjoyment. If you dig the liquid paper ep buy this on sight (I know Bent
Crayin has it) its 70 minutes of the same, driving crunchy techno
guaranteed to make your ass shake and stimulate your brain cells.
There are rumors around that td5 may just venture over here to Western
Australia from his home in Melbourne and im looking forward to any
chance I get to see him live. This release contains some of the best
'techno' (in the narrow sense) I've ever heard. Some of the percussion
reminds me of Autechre in it's grainy crunchy quality but Voiteck uses
layers and layers of the sounds to create punchy rhythms at a much
faster rate.
As an added bonus I was also fortunate enough to acquire one of the 500
copies that came with a bonus disc of Voiteck mixing some of the
releases (truck music 01-09 - all his own material) that were released
on his own label. As previously stated the material is not as hard as
his live set but contains more variety. Voiteck mixes in about 3:00 of
each track starting with an ambient intro and moving through to techno
in his unique style, while not as dense as the live stuff its equally
interesting. For someone (like me) who doesn't own the earlier material
it makes a great retrospective. At Aus$26.00 this is some of the best
value for money I've had for quite a while.
10/10
Smyglyssna - Dold EP (Plug Research)
I had heard that the Smyglyssna material on the PR&D compilations
received rave reviews about the place, while I did enjoy some of it, it
didn't impress me as much as the Mannequin Lung and John Tejada stuff on
there (ie these two artists and all their pseudonyms - particularly
lucid lung). The material on the compilations was laid back in an
unusual ambient sort of style and is quite different from the tracks on
the Dold E.P. which I ordered after fortunately hearing someone elses
copy. I'm glad I did - it impresses me much more than the compilation
tracks. The a1 is particularly nice - deep techno beats with a minimal
ambient melody/background. The EP reminds me in some respects of some of
the chain reaction material - the same deep throbbing repetitive beats
creating a steady pace with a nice looping ambient melody in the
background but without the thick viscous quality of the CR stuff (my
reference points are Porter Ricks and Erosion) and on the whole at a
slower pace (though it sounds great at 45rpms too for a little more
pace). Think slowly throbbing beats with nice dark looping ambience and
scratches and random noises for added flavour. Damn fine 8.5/10
Me-Sheen - Electronic Membrane EP (Reflective)
Me-Sheen (who are they?) play with a nice set of sounds here from
ambience and bleeps to distorted synths combining them with nice
percussion to create a very enjoyable EP. The A1 is composed of a steady
drum loop which is complimented by other tappy (closed hi-hat sorta
sounding?) hits which is used as the framework to present a truncated
melody made of various noises that sound as distinct notes separated by
silence (that's what I mean by truncated :) which is backed in parts by
a nice bass line. The A2 is a better track starting off with a nice
distinctive melody composed again of unusual sounds. Eventually a deeper
bass melody is added and then later some drum work - a nice steady build
up. The B1 track is a bit more aggressive faster, harder and containing
a few snaps and claps here and there but still employs the same weird
spacey and electronic noises. Probably the worst of the selection -
where earlier the ambience and the strange melodies complimented each
other backed by the slow percussion here the hard drums dominate and the
noises begin to irritate a little. However Me-sheen redeem themselves
with the B2 all of the elements and structures employed earlier come
back to combine into an awesome track. Beginning with a beautiful
keyboardish/synth melody distorted notes (similar to the notes in the
last track from Public energy #1 fluctuating and slightly distorted)
flutter over the top to compliment it and the usual blips are
interspersed throughout. Slowly a beat starts to develop emerging subtly
then increasing in pace and working with the melody slowly the track
evolves into a crescendo. Electronic Membrane is an appropriate name for
this EP - electronic blips and sounds are foregrounded in the tracks of
this nice piece of laid back ambient-ish techno. Buy it for the B2 then
enjoy the A side as well. Extra points for the reflective backing (looks
nice while spinning) 8/10
Well there ya go... go buy voiteck, everything got good reviews coz over
here we get to listen to everything first.l. consequently i only buy
good stuff... once again please let me know if i should keep posting
reviews.
Also, I was recently leant a copy of avantgardism #2 while most of it
sounds like dated experimental jungle (ie interesting in its day) I
really loved the muslimgauze track free from a veil - crunches away
beautifully can any one recommend some muslimgauze material in a similar
vein? I know his rather prolific so I don't wanna take a random dive -
id like something similar to this track? Suggestions?
Phylistine
NP - Damon Wild - linear / fluorescence lmtd 7" (Synewave) - a lot of
people around here have been racing about the latest Blue maxx release
but for some reason I don't really like it all that much - to these ears
this release by Damon Wild is much nicer - lovely ambient melody (do I
overuse this phrase?) with great stuttering broken beats (fluorescence )
and the luvly stomping linear - grab it if you find it.
All statements contained above are the opinions of me. Although im
always right you are entitled to disagree.
m/n/m/l