From Jeffery Cohen Sent Thu, Jul 2nd 1998, 06:50
From Jeffery Cohen Sent Thu, Jul 2nd 1998, 06:50
Utsumi - Finding A New World EP (Disorient/Sushi 7)
The talk of Mr. Scruff around here reminded me
about this EP, so I pulled it out to refresh my mind,
and was pleasantly surprised. Credited to one Izuru
Utsumi. Anyone know more on him?
semi-related side note: to me, a big part of IDM is
the dynamic side of it, and going by those standards,
if this doesn't qualify, then I'm on the wrong planet.
(not to say repetition isn't nice.)
The a-side starts off in hip-hop territory, before
a house-y type of synth/piano? comes in to join the party.
Some obligatory bleeps and blips stop on by, before Feedback
and his friend Distortion crash it. Everyone runs.
A new beat, much faster shows up. I'm not sure
exactly what to call it. It's got that d&b type energy to
it, but is more in line with techno on crack. Hmm, who
brought the drugs? The hip-hop beat decides the party doesn't
have to be over, so he comes back, throws out the drugs,
and turns the lights down to chill in the smoky lounge-y
atmosphere. But, techno on crack is an addict, and comes back,
bringing with him his Latin friends, and the night continues. .
Mr. Scruff has a different take on what happened that night.
A sampled loop of the original is played out in
hip-hop territory, a little bit of corroborating evidence.
But, he remembers his crew, the Strings showing up, and
some Piano stopping by as well. The rest of the night/track, was
spent chilling, taking it easy and just enjoying the night.
A good take/remix on a good night/track.
The flip starts with Mantuno.
Some fat strings come into the picture, along with some Latin
laughs and voices, a break creeps in, and Mr. Utsumi is
walking right on the line of jungle. This track, and really,
the whole side, fit stylistically with the Piranha Breaks EP
from Amon Tobin on Ninja Tune. Ninjeff, take notice!! Not a copy,
but this definitely sounds like Ninja material to me.
This EP ends with Echoes Of The Deep Forest.
Bass comes onto the scene, building tension for what
seems like days. A tribal call pierces it. Someone playing a
sheet of tin in the jungle comes by, and the drum hits seem
to bounce off the huge, rainforest trees and come whizzing by
your head. It continues on for a couple minutes until some
electronic blips and FX come in. Up until now, it reminds me
of the scene in Apocalypse Now, where it cuts between the
killing of the water buffalo, and the assassination of Col.
Kurtz. But, a horn, which for some reason reminds me of a
super-hero, surprises the hell out of you, and changes the mood
of the track. The Latin/jungle (not d&b) line disappears, and
the electronic parts come back and make up the rest of the track.
This whole side has a live, energetic feel to it. Who said
electronic music has no soul?
.jeff / chris.
.do not condemn the judgement of another because it differs from your own.
\-. you may both be wrong .-/