From Mark Stevens Sent Thu, Nov 19th 1998, 00:24
From Mark Stevens Sent Thu, Nov 19th 1998, 00:24
Hello.
For those people disappointed with the lack of updates on my web site
(which is undergoing a major overhaul behind the scenes), here's a
bunch of reviews for you.
artist :: sun electric
title :: via nostra
label :: r&s records
cat :: amb8950cd
tracks :: tee
fried ed
things you like to hear
tortuga
the long walk
blue led
emanon
bonga
entresol
7:07
el trauco
sierra
Just as 'Present' sneaked up on us, during the tail end of 1996, and
forced us all to rewrite our top ten lists, 'Via Nostra' does the same
two years later.
'Via Nostra' carries on from where 'Present' left off, although Max
Loderbauer and Tom Thiel's style has evolved slightly to create a more
organic sounding experience. Each track is still tightly structured,
with percussion, bass and melody never fighting for dominance, but
unlike previous Sun Electric albums, there is a certain live element
to each track on 'Via Nostra', with all the spare gaps being exploited
with improvised segments.
In this respect, there are many tracks that sound very Black
Dog/Plaid-ish, others a bit Orblivion-era Orb. Nevertheless, Sun
Electric's trademark bubbly, scattershot style still reigns supreme.
There's not a single fast-forward moment to be found, although
definite highlights include the opening 'Tee' (imagine Plaid remixing
Ozric Tentacles), 'Things You Like to Hear' (Orb-style dubbiness with
gorgeous strings, vocoder trickery and ever-shifting pace of rhythm),
'Tortuga' (more Plaid-style slickery), 'Emanon' (head-itchingly
repetitive groove) and '7:07' (a very clever remix of the James Bond
theme).
'Via Nostra' is definitely one of the best IDM releases of 1998 and
should be snapped on general principles. (And Black Dog/Plaid fans
will love it!)
artist :: thomas fehlmann
title :: flowing:ninezeronineight
label :: r&s records
cat :: amb8951cd
tracks :: superfrühstück
hermosa
zauberwort
banda (i.a.o.o.l)
baratti
unisize
6ix days
kirsche
wee wee mademoiselle
globus
sangita rana
cuddle
teufel
face the day
kufi & nashi
speedo
lüster
snake salvador
dingo
schizoprehnia
Thomas Fehlmann's name may not be instantly recognisable to everyone,
but having co-written and co-produced enough of the Orb's recent
output to be the band's third member, as well as a fair few of Sun
Electric's offerings, you'll certainly have heard him in action.
As the title of this album may suggest, what we have here is a
compilation of Fehlmann's solo efforts over the past eight years, the
vast majority of them (ie, sixteen out of twenty) previously
unreleased. Although there are a fair number of collaborations to be
found -- '6ix days' and 'Teufel' with fellow Orbster, Alex Paterson,
'Snake Salvador' with Sun Electric and 'Schizophrenia' with
Chainreaction honcho Moritz von Oswald.
All of the tracks on offer are short and sweet, averaging around three
and a half minutes each. There's no time for messing about -- each
track gets in there, does its stuff and legs it whilst the going's
good. Having said that, the pace never feels frantic. The overall feel
of 'Flowing:ninezeronineight' is probably on par with the Orb's
'Orblivion' -- tranquility occasionally breaking into a light trot.
As with Sun Electric's 'Via Nostra', you'll want to play this album
from start to finish every time and not indulge in any track skipping.
Personal favourites includes the excellent opener, 'Superfrühstück',
'6ix days', 'Globus', 'Cuddle' and 'Snake Salvador' and 'Dingo'.
artist :: kushti
title :: secret handshakes
label :: octopus
cat :: orccd3
tracks :: butta vapour
slow lane
whistle
coast to coast
listen real close
no mistakes allowed
nature's world
breaking rocks
taking hold
race against time
sugarbeat
handshake
way out there
tipivog
out
Plaid fans beware -- although Ed and Andy produced this album, it
sounds *nothing* like Plaid/Black Dog. 'Secret Handshakes' is
definitely Kushti's own album and their style dominates -- Plaid have
simply lent a bit of spit and polish (which die-hard fans will
recognise) and full credit to them for letting Scratch and Blast's
style shine through.
Kushti's previous EPs have only hinted at what they're capable of, but
'Secret Handshakes' reveals their full range. The first couple of
listenings may be heavy going, especially to someone like me who's
been on a steady diet of Warp, Skam, Musik aus Strom and Diskono for
most of the year. Kushti expertly fuse together elements of hip hop
and jazz in an extremely minimalist, downtempo fashion, but the end
results are nothing but compulsive. At times it's like listening to
Red Snapper in slow motion, perhaps a less fussy Amon Tobin and even a
little bit instrumental Portishead in places.
Each track's hook seems to work on a subconscious level. A cursory
skip-through appears to reveal nothing of much interest, but dim the
lights and sit back with 'Secret Handshakes' unfolding through a
decent set of headphones and the album's beauty will suddenly hit you
when you least expect it.
Too many great tracks to mention, although 'Taking Hold' (with vocals
courtesy of Alice Russell) is full of neat twists and turns. 'Secret
Handshakes' won't be sought by too many people and those that do buy
it may initially be underwhelmed. But give it a chance to worm its way
into your brain and you'll soon be chalking it up in your top five
list of the year.
/\/)ark
http://www.sonance.demon.co.uk/