From Jeffrey Burk Sent Wed, Mar 10th 1999, 15:23
From Jeffrey Burk Sent Wed, Mar 10th 1999, 15:23
Some thoughts on Clear. illuminati. It's true that Clear enlisted well known artists (illuminati) to introduce its first series of releases starting in January of 1995. What was different and challenging about the label was an apparent confidence in their overall concept. As I understand it, their idea was to release records created by well known artists, using ambiguous pseudonyms, in a electro/retro style. The names of the artists were made even more ambiguous because of the difficult to read, highly stylized 'graffiti' type treatment used on the record labels and sleeves. Clear was actually "looking forward while looking backward" by asking their artists to create using a retro style sound. From 1995 to 1998 the label put out one excellent release after another. Over those 4 years the label showed an evolution in sound: 1995 :solid electro ( Jedi Knights, Gescom, Jake Slazenger and others ) 1996 :cheeze, jazz; experimental ( The Gregory Fleckner Quintet, Clatterbox and others ) 1997 :drum and jazz and bass and asymmetry ( Metamatics, Reflection and Morgan Geist ) 1998 :fluid and jazzy; percussive "live instrument" sound ( newer artists like The Lithium Project ) design. Clear showed a high level of strategic design sensibility with its product. Each Clear package looked and felt well designed; contributing to the overall development of the Clear "brand" above and beyond just the music itself. The label knew that it wasn't just the "the record", but it was good design that contributed to an overall experience. Choices like printing ink color ( inks included metallics ), paper and novel packaging ideas ( Reflections magnet closure, Its All Becoming Clear's complex die-cut packaging ) helped define a cohesive look and feel for the label. some highlights: Reflection: The Errornormous World Reflection: The Morerroronus World Remix comp Morgan Geist: The Driving Memoirs Metamatics: various As One: The Message ... GFQ: Monkey Boots mindset. When Clear first came out they were motivated to represent a sound they felt got overlooked. They had the foresight to commit themselves to a retro/electro style in 1995. I remember listening to the Jedi Knights 12" ( in 1995 ) and thinking it was really bad. Today I really appreciate Clear; thorough design, quirky music and a creative concept. releases (most, not all): 400 : Various : It's All Becoming... Clear 406 : Jedi Knights : May The Funk Be With You 407 : Tusken Raiders : Bantha Trax 408 : Gescom : The Sounds Of Machines ... 409 : Plaid : Android 410 : Jake Slazenger : Makesaracket 411 : Doctor Rockit : Ready To Rockit 412 : Clatterbox : Clatterbox 414 : Daniel Ibbotson : Souped Up 415 : Spacepimp : Spacepimp 416 : Doctor Rockit : D For Doctor 417 : As One : The Message In Herbie's Shirts 418 : Gregory Fleckner Quintet : A Gentle Introduction 419 : Gregory Fleckner Quintet : Monkey Boots 420 : Gregory Fleckner Quintet : Goodbye Morals, Hello Happiness 421 : Clatterbox : Spatz 422 : Clatterbox : Easy Does It 423 : Doctor Rockit : Swingtime 424 : Doctor Rockit : The Music Of Sound 425 : Metamatics : EP.01 426 : Metamatics : EP.02 427 : Metamatics : EP.03 428 : Metamatics : EP.04 429 : Metamatics : A Metamatics Production 430 : As One : In With Their Arps and Moogs and Jazz and Things 431 : Reflection : Transparent 432 : Reflection : The Errornormous World 433 : Morgan Geist : Linking Tunnel/Food & Fuel 434 : Reflection : Sampler 1 435 : Reflection : Sampler 2 436 : Reflection : The Morerroronus World 437 : Morgan Geist : The Driving Memoirs 438 : Metamatics : Onyx 439 : The Lithium Project : The Lithium Project If you want to read more about the Clear label you can read the results to a reader survey posted at my site. Included in the results are popular opinions to some of the questions in this thread including: favorite packaging, favorite Clear year, favorite full length, and 12", etc. Clear Visual Discography: http://www.formstudio.com/thesesubjects/music/clear/pollresults.html Jeffrey. >I don't really see why Clear was >>considered so "revolutionary" when all they did was enlist IDM illuminati >>and had them perform in a retro style.