From Christopher Miller Sent Mon, Oct 11th 1999, 00:11
S.O.L.O. - "OUT IS IN" SULPHUR RECORDS [SULCD03] I've got to say that I'm very surprised and delighted with Michael Well's latest output. Going under the guise of S.O.L.O. this time, his latest [solo] album _Out Is In_ is nothing at all like any of his previous work. Wells has dropped the 4x4 pounding techno, infectious happy hardcore, and balls-out gabber for a more top-notch IDM sound. There is a varied sound throughout this cd... still he is able to tie in elements of previous works such as G.T.O.'s _Kardiophunk And The Second Wave_, and the oddball tracks from both volumes of the _Data Trax_ eps on DataFlow. I would have to say that this album and his previous one, _Departure Designer Lounge Beats_ by Signs Of Chaos, are an extension of what the Greater Than One albums would have sounded like after _G-Force_... even without the seven-year techno excursion that followed. Michael Wells has gotten back to his roots. Released on long-time friend, Robin Rimbaud's (aka Scanner) brand new Sulphur Records label on October 18th, _Out Is In_ is a beautiful album. Musical styles range from the contemporary sample-oriented Ninja Tune/Mo' Wax sound to the more abstract feel of what's coming out of Germany these days (ie To Rococo Rot, Nonplace Urban Field, etc.). The cd leads in with warm pops and clicks of an old phonograph, which melt their way into a Haruomi Hosono flavored piece (it would fit nicely along with anything on the Daisy World label). Wells develops a nice flow throughout the album, using the more downtempo percussion elements of jazz overlayed with organic synth washes and funked bass guitar loops. Darker non-worldly drones serve as the backbones to this uplifting feel, reminding me of what I like about Scorn, Locust, Scanner... and even Cylob. Some would try an pigeonhole this and the previous Signs Of Chaos album as `Lounge' (whatever that is...). _Out Is In_ is too far beyond that. String samples, flutes, Art Of Noise cut-ups, erratic slowed-down techno with a missing beat, record scratching by a dj with one hand and three fingers, an ego-boosting porn sample, bleeps, bloops, electronic sensuality... Go back and listen to your old Greater Than One albums and retract the lame press-release influenced opinions. Michael Wells is still the innovator. Nine songs you need to pay attention to: 1. ANGEL OF LOVE 4:58 2. 4 PLAY 6:28 3. TUMMY FINGER 4:20 4. OUT IS IN 7:14 5. THE BATCHELOR PARTY 4:25 6. FISH HAPPENS 4:14 7. DO LIKE THIS 4:26 8. WELLS WORLD 5:54 9. OCEAN LULLABY 7:10 One other upcoming item to look out for is the companion three track ep for this album called _Abracadabra_. It's release will follow the release of _Out Is In_ - both by S.O.L.O. .`-). | ; christopher miller o o' xxxx@xxxxxxx.xxx = '