(idm) review - S.O.L.O.

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                                                       =
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