For their debut on Christian Smith’s imprint, this Leeds-based team takes on an old-school syncopated groove. Styled as an organic percussive tool, this EP displays ethereal synth work and an overused vocal chant. The quotient reveals deep hues, although one should also expect a relentless pounding.
Chris Leibing Weather EP
Vigorously taunting and aggressively hypnotic, this percussive workout expresses the power of well-modulated filter envelope generators. Leibing teaches an advanced lesson in subtractive synthesis as precise, sweltering analog drums drive you deeper within.
Dan Corco & Fred Carrreira Ethnic EP
This French duo engineers a polyrhythmic slice of conga-derived programming for Dave Angel’s imprint. Emphasizing the peak-time melody, an equally inspirational and fearsome bassline cuts through the floor ahead. Though surely adequate as a stand-alone performance, this is best used for subtle genre transitions.
DJ Misjah Inca Trail EP
This proven acid-techno maven throws down yet another 303-crafted, funk-driven event. While insistent strings roar an emotional yet cynical melody, bouts of spacious pounding push the tech-house flavor ahead. With one peak-filler and two additional breakbeat tracks, the diversity here will burn floors worldwide.
Greg Gow Progressions EP
On this label’s seventh title, head honcho Gow teams with fellow Canadian Mateo Murphy. The ‘verbed-out lead synth increasingly ascends upward for an effective 4AM delight. Fans of Jeff Mills take note as this Tresor affiliate unlocks a heavily effected modern adventure.
Various Artists The Fire This Time
Here’s a relative anomaly for electronic music-a compilation with both a conscience and a detailed tale to tell. The future fate of the Iraqi people is a troubling subject that gets swept under the rug in the mass media. The Fire This Time is a detailed narrative of the genocidal damage done under US sanctions since the elder Bush’s Gulf War set to an electronic soundtrack. A second disc provides just the music without the narration and story, with highlights from Orbital, Aphex Twin and Tom Middleton’s Amba project. It is a worthy backdrop to the substantial research that went into this effort. If only electronic music could boast more releases of this weight.
Various Artists Scrath Attack Volume Two
Bay Area public radio is an underappreciated treasure that takes the sting out of the failures of the commercial stations. Detractors of scratch DJing (perfected in the Bay) find it to be mere technical masturbation, and the Scratch Attack series provides a strong counterpoint (i.e. a middle finger) with technique, musicality and a healthy sense of humor. Scratch Attack had a brief run on local station KPFA as well as online, and will no doubt be echoed in future radio incarnations from hosts Billy Jam, Bas-1, DJ Pone and DJ Munkifunk. Presenting the best bits of these broadcasts works terrifically well in the recorded format.
DJ Krush Shinsou (The Message At The Depth)
With his seventh album and minimal fanfare, Japan’s DJ Krush continues on with his elegant and quiet strides at musical longevity. With beats and melodies that outline the caliber of a classical composer, Krush rocks the international flavor that’s he’s honed on previous efforts with a true global hip-hop hybrid. Highlights include creative collaborations with Sly & Robbie (“The Last Voices”), Anti-Pop Consortium (“Supreme Team”) and Japanese rapper Inden (“Toki No Tabiji,” which translates to “Journey of Time”). Now, as before, a stamp of considered quality.
Various Artists Rewind 2
An album of cover songs is only successful if it does more than stimulate nostalgia for the originals. Like its predecessor, Rewind 2 works well up against this standard, providing versions that are satisfying on their own. The song selection ranges from familiar (Terry Callier’s take on The Temptation’s “Just My Imagination” and Roy Davis Jr.’s lively tribute to Curtis Mayfield’s “People Get Ready”) to rare (Fruitbeard’s cover of Chrissie Hynde’s obscure “Private Life”), so only ardent music collectors will know every song. Familiar or not, there’s a heaping handful of stunning moments to enjoy.
Various Artists Fabriclive: Radioactive Man
Keith Tenniswood’s credits as an engineer and producer are numerous. Though he’s best known for his 2 Lone Swordsmen partnership with Andrew Weatherall, his Radioactive Man project is gaining international momentum. His DJ mix for London club Fabric joins the dots between dark breakbeat, techno and drum & bass with a selection comprised of other such lurking producer’s “producers” as Depth Charge, Jammin’ Unit and Anthony Røther. Rare on a mix CD: Tenniswood’s own cut is the collection’s best production. His “‘Ave That” provides gluttonous bass for rhythm addicts. About time we see more of these behind-the-scenes talents up front.
