From fix8 Sent Fri, Mar 19th 1999, 16:35
From fix8 Sent Fri, Mar 19th 1999, 16:35
Pole - LP 2 (Kiff SM Germany)
Pole's LP2 begins with echoing, distinctive, organ like notes (sounding
very reggae) which immediately set this release apart from LP 1 - there
was nothing so high pitched on the first release. Just as it signals
difference it also signals progression, content with one masterpiece,
Stefan Betke has not stuck with the same tried and true sound but has
instead immediately moved on to presenting different materials. The dub
influences and the clicks/pops of the waldorf filter are still present
but they are used in new ways ('Streit' features the usual clicks but
employs them in a much more controlled fashion) and accompanied by
different sounds.
The difference rests primarily in the pace of the tracks, LP2 was
described by the distributors as faster and more dance floor friendly
(!?) than the first release and while it isn't dance floor friendly LP2
is much faster than LP1 (If you play it on the correct speed of 45rpms -
it took me a week to discover this etched into the record so accustomed
was I to the relaxed pace of LP1). LP2 is faster and more urgent than
its predecessor, the clicks assemble a percussive force that is much
more rapid jumping in and out of focus around fast low octave melodies
and ever present is the thickest most powerful basslines that ever
rumbled forth from your speakers. The organ and other higher pitched
sounds are prominent through out and play a large part in the
development of the new sound. Pole has expanded his sonic palette and
uses the new range of sound to great advantage. Pole produces music that
defies description (although I've just floundered around trying to do
just that), reggae and dub influences meet pure electronic sound
sculpture that has to be heard to be believed. Josh Taaffe.
Surgeon - East Light (Dynamic Tension UK)
While Pole experiments with bass in down-tempo - sound scape mode, this
Surgeon 12" demonstrates its devastating use when accompanied by 4/4
beats and snares. This is quite simply the bassiest banging techno 12"
I've ever heard. The 4/4 beats drive along accompanied by very delicate
snare work. Meanwhile an incredibly viscous bassline winds its way from
beat to beat. This 12" is all bass subtleties contrasted with very high
end snares the distance between the two is amazing. The a2 adds some
micro-tonal high end notes that again work in contrast to the powerful
low end. The b1 features more percussion and a more active bass line and
consequently holds a lot more pace. The b2 is backed by a droney loop
that sounds like someone moaning with lament, this gives the entire
track a very sinister and incredibly emotive bent. East Light is a
startling demonstration of sonic mastery. Highly percussive techno with
a unique and avant garde edge.
Joshua Taaffe
Pan Sonic - A (Blast First UK)
Finnish producers Mika Vainio and Ilpo Vaisanen continue their analogue
assult on the senses with their third album 'A'. Panasonic's first album
'Vakio' was recorded live using analoge equipment that had been modified
by Mika and Ilpo. It was incredibly distinctive using microphone
distortion clicks as percussion, weird fluctuating tones as synths and
massive bass rumbles and distortion to deliver an excursion into minimal
sound experimentation. A seems to have moved from live recorded tracks
and analogue only equipment. Some of the sounds have a 'sampled' quality
and some of the patterns seem sequenced (I could be mistaken however).
So while Pan Sonic maintain their signature sound it has become more
complex and the tracks which function as tracks (rather than as
soundscapes) contain more variety. There is more percussive subtlety and
the addition of some more melodic ambient tones in backing some tracks
makes for an interesting new dimension. Minimalism at its most
intriguing , where the intricate variation in sound and the character of
sound itself are the focus of intense attention. Josh Taaffe.
Robert Hood - Sophisticato (Duet US)
New U.S. label Duet are off to an incredible start with this 12" from
Detroit legend Robert Hood. Lush string loops dominate the 4/4 techno
tracks shifting up and down the octaves and gradually varying and
contrasting as the track progresses. This is detroit techno at its best
- melodic strings, soul, a full bodied range of sound , tight rhythmic
control, variation and emotion all coming together in four superb
tracks. I hope duet's output continues at this calibre.
Holy Ghost - Live in Amsterdam
(Tresor Germany)
'Aliens took my daddy when I was very young…. My name is art lokum and I
am a good man!' Holy Ghost live in amsterdam opens up with an eerie
melodic loop and a mad speech from Art Lokum, delivered in twangy deep
south hick accent ranging from angels to aliens in subject matter. The
music, once it begins is almost as crazy - offering an insight into the
scizophrenic dimensions of Art Lokum's brain - burbling synths, 140 bpm
+ beats with snares rattling over the top, a maelstrom of madly eq'd
and squealing synths .Lokum returns throughout the record to offer
further deluded insights before being overpowered by further driving
layers of 4/4 techno, with snares added then stripped away, chords
slowly built up mutated and then dropped out again, distorted notes,
squelches, alien noises, high pitched alarms and violently twitching
sampled breaks. Holy Ghost manipulates loop after loop to deliver an
energetic and powerful display of hard as nails four to the floor.
Phylistine.
Jurgen Paape - (Kompakt Germany)
Jochem Paape better known as Speedy J delivers 3 abstract house paced
percussive pieces on Mike Ink's cologne based Kompakt label. 4/4 bass
beats are complimented by synth notes, snare loops and abstract
percussive loops and gentle melodies. The three tracks are based vaguely
around the same samples. The main focus of the 12" is on intricate
percussion and the strange sounds used in the abstract loops - highly
distorted drums, a weird 'klink klank' noise etc… An interesting 12"
from Speedy J vastly different to his early melodic techno and again
different from the abrasive noise of Public Energy #1.
Jim Henson Project - Puppets and Strings
(A-speak Germany)
Johannes Heil is a very versatile man. Not only is he combine MC-ing and
the running of the highly successful Kanzleramt label , he also
produces a wide variety of music, from the blistering 'I love to beat
you coz I hate you' on the Kanzleramt 'Reality to Midi' Album to the
Louis Armstrong sampling subtly of Age Beats - Whispering. With this 12"
Johannes has turned his hand to deep house and melodic hip hop. The A
side begins with a gentle piano loop and is soon joined by deep 4/4
beats, spattered with the occasional echoing snare. Deep soulful chords
and sashaying 'grey' sounding synths, and a brief vocal complete this
melancholy and sublime mix. The B1 consists of a hip hop break, a low
rumbling noise, the soft brushing of closed hi-hats, and a deep melodic
loop contrasting with higher pitched trembling notes. The B2 is formed
out of a slow rolling break with a closed hi hat on every beat, and has
a very jazzy feel. Soft cow bells and a meandering ambient synth line
which shifts ever so slightly in tone, again contribute to a
melancholy, brooding feeling. Jim Henson project, music for an overcast
day, with a slow wind stirring trees against the grey sky.
Phylistine.