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Muscle Memory/Holy Goodnight by The VibrationEP1 (untitled) by JavelinI'm Not Sorry by The cocknbullkidI'm Not Sorry by The cocknbullkid89 by KotchyI Can't Give You Up by Smoove & TurrellShuffle Scuffle EP by TRNSSTRPot Kettle Black by Tilly And The WallPot Kettle Black by Tilly And The WallLost In Time EP by YousefLost In Time EP by YousefMother by Susumu YokotaMother by Susumu YokotaHot & Cold by SoopasoulHot & Cold by SoopasoulTerminal 3 / 2 Da Floor by RuskoFrom an Ancient Star by Belbury PolyNo Surprise by James YuillNo Surprise by James YuillTravels into Several Remote Nations of the World by Yellow Moon BandOne Night In London by Various ArtistsI Can't Give You Up by Smoove & TurrellEl Beasto by Prok & FitchMr No / Someone Great by Banjo Or FreakoutMr No / Someone Great by Banjo Or FreakoutGo That Deep (Paul Woolford Remixes) by Nufrequency feat. Shara NelsonBruise Color Blue EP by GSpider & FarahShuffle Scuffle EP by TRNSSTRLets Fall Back In Love by Slow ClubRed Velvet by Red Velvet

martin clark

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Soup

Soup [ review of: Soup by Bola (CD Album) ]

Where do they find them? Autechre and friends come up trumps again (after Boards of Canada) with Bola. After only one limited 7", the Skam signing drop a stunning LP, steeped in the history of Sheffield, Detroit and Dusseldorf. But it is the former's influence that takes centre stage, with the Warp back catalogue having clearly had a profound effect on the musical minds here. The first port of call has to be the Artificial Intelligence series, and at times tracks seem to wallow in a sense of innocence or nostalgia. Harking back to the good old days, they recall times when it was enough to unleash a cavern of pulsing synths, and get lost in them. Yet this is too well produced to date from '93, and Bola avoid cul-de-sacs, heading straight for melodic utopia. Deep aquatic sounds, bring a sense of wonder or off world exploration, without ever sounding clichéd. Aguilla, formerly on the 7", sucks you in with descending arpeggios, until it hits you with soulful phased vocals, jazz piano melody and a break, fresh from the Autechre school of crunch. Where Autechre play dystopian breakbeat games, only to blind you with the light, and Plaid get caught up in freestyle jazz-riddles of melodic hide and seek, here the emphasis is on texture alone. As sounds morph into each other, the album is only complete as a whole.


Posted by martin clark at 00:00, 02 Feb 1999

Underestimated ep / Sophisticcato

[ review of: Underestimated ep / Sophisticcato by Robert Hood (CD Album) ]

Its been a busy few months for Detroit's elusive minimalist, Robert Hood, following a mini hiatus. By firstly advancing his core label M-Plant, he has followed up recent releases on Hardwax and Drama with a real shock. For those with their eyes towards the 313, it came with the arrival of Hood's new and third label 'Duet' (behind M-Plant and Drama). The title track of Sophisticcato begins a varied, and significantly a less abstract EP. 'Varied' at least for Hood, the man condemned by Simon Reynolds (in his book 'Energy Flash') as the musical equivalent of a bread and water diet. Fusing a modulating 'Strings of Life'-style piano riff over synths, he strays into seemingly tech-house territories. As if to confirm this, the real gem in this collection: 'The First Night', heralds syncopated drums, reminiscent of Joe Claussels sublime 'Ten City's All loved Out' remix. To fans of Hoods stark Moveable Parts series, the sounds on the Underestimated EP will be familiar, yet a progression. Treading equally deep and funky sub-aquatic territories, Hood layers more intricate sounds, using double high-hats and crisp arpeggios. Thus the minimal cul-de-sac presented on the limited 'Puppet Master' double pack is avoided, and one of Detroit's great hopes marches confidently into 1999. 'The Rhythm of Vision' indeed.


Posted by martin clark at 00:00, 19 Jan 1999