Low End Recon

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Hip-hop has of course invaded the popular consciousness in innumerable ways. It is mainstream and it is way underground. One of its illegitimate progeny has been dubbed "dark-hop", a foot-dragging, stripped-down and heavy-handed beat-oriented take on ambient Isolationism with a fondness for snatched vocal samples from old horror and science fiction movies.

The best way to familiarize oneself with the genre is through any one of the fine compilations which have emerged in the States, England, Canada and France. Among them best of them are 'Abstract Depressionism' (APC), with its all-star cast including Bill Laswell, DXT, Mick Harris and Eraldo Bernocchi; 'Economised' (Manifold); the double set on Harris' own imprint, 'Sonics Everywhere' (Possible); and 'Radius Suck' (Syzygy).

Enter 'Low End Recon' into the fray, with the first of a projected series of compilation releases. Mick Harris, who may possibly be the original source of inspiration for this sub-genre with his Scorn project, opens the proceedings (it is not surprising that he appears on four of the five CDs mentioned here), but after that and in common with most of these sets, the stage is dominated by lesser-known and often more daring devotees going under monickers like Alien Radio Station, Not Breathing, Su8m3rg3d and Larvae.

One of dark-hop's more recognizable names is Ocosi, currently a one-man outfit with Paul Molyneux at the helm. His "Jackal Head" on 'Low End Recon', with its autistic rhythm way up front and ominous backdrop (and Max von Sydow 'Exorcist' sample!) is about as representative for the genre as it gets. Also featuring prominently on the 'Economised' CD, he is the main mover and shaker behind 'Radius Suck', perhaps the most abstract and challenging of the dark-hop surveys.

The music on 'Low End Recon' is true to its name, delving deep down in its reconnaissance mission into the murkily-lit world of percussion and bass and emerging with a prime overview for the curious listener. What is remarkable about this record is how greatly varied the results of these meagre means are. All the artists display an admirable dose of imagination within the otherwise rather narrow confines of the template.

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