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  REVIEWS
Testspinz: Albums + Singles This week’s AVANTRAX by: Quirk Send vinyl 12”/CD for review consideration to:
From the dark, hard, yet tender center of Bristol-town, the sounds of Tricky, Massive Attack and Portishead pioneered the sound that has stood the test of time. Raw and up front, beyond the norm of trip hop categorization, take a break from all those happy-happy-joy-joy beats and get moody! This soul is not afraid of the another side. The Baby Namboos are the first to sign to Tricky's own label, Durban Poison. Most tracks on the album feature the vocals of Aurora Borealis whose croons remind me a lot of Siouxsie. Ya dig? Leo Coleing and Tricky himself add to the deep, brooding feeling of a lonely winter, and the hard-steppin' remix of the title track "Ancoats2zambia" by Dillinja multiplies that intensity a hundred fold. Watch out for more grooves getting brewed up by The Baby Namboos, Tricky and the Bristol massive. Ms.E!
Round about 1996, Howie B and Naked Funk's Jeremy Shaw took on the alias Daddylonglegs for their musical partnership and composed "The Fourth Way," the second single released by Howie B's label, Pussyfoot Records. Three more bits followed but they put things on hold while the duo became occupied with solo projects. The LP Horse sees their return, stirring up more trippy analogue potion for their first Daddylonglegs album, where distortion, sound effects and synth melody come together over funky textures and beats. The equine sense comes through with most pieces like "Giddy Up," "Pony Express," "Black Beauty," or "Stallion" because of a galloping rhythm or wild west feel, although there are exceptions such as the langourous ambient tracks "Bareback" and "Don't Milk Ya Hoss." Another entirely different example: "They Shag Horses Don't They?" Why Daddylonglegs make a habit out of giving the most perverse titles to their loveliest tracks is beyond me. Call it a quirk. Nevertheless, the music carries beyond that to an elated experience. Sophia
Trip-Hop-Melodic-Funk-Slide-Guitar-Ambient-Gospel-Blues Explosion! This is one of the most beautifully constructed, created and delivered CDs that I have heard in a while. To put your finger on the influences behind the music will leave you guessing for hours and still scratching your head in amazement. Sounds seem to blend seamlessly in a mesh of something new, provocative and fresh. Just when you think low/mid-tempo music can't quite possibly be given a new breath of life, a subtle twist into the unexpected propels you much higher and farther into the atmosphere than you ever thought possible. However, sometime towards the end of the last track, you must return from that far-off place your imagination has taken you to, unless of course, you hit the replay button. Wunjo
Studio mates Lee Bachelor and Keir Cleminson are outdoing themselves with every record they put out. This contribution to Tricksta's young label is their best work to date in my opinion. After fresh releases on Blame's 720 (Good Looking sister label) and countless others on labels such as Partisan, Temple and Ascendant Grooves, Future Engineers bring the future into the present with forward-thinking Drum & Bass. Techno-influenced beats and acid synth sounds drive this music forward into a place still virtually unexplored. Where is Drum & Bass headed? Just follow Future Engineers and you will be sure to be ahead of your time. Listen up for forthcoming releases on Looking Good, 720, Nexus and Secret Operations. Nice work, Tricksta, for keeping the world of Drum & Bass fresh. Gabe Real
"What is the power of your ship? Music. Space is the place, in all of us . . .. Let's all make cosmic music!" (a little something I found in the guestbook of the Sun Ra Research domain which touches on the intention and magic behind this music). With the divine cosmic inspiration of Sun Ra so close to their hearts, John and Peter--the Hinds Brothers--bring their gift of Brilliant Sounds through an elaborate journey of rhythm. Open the door and discover endless roads leading in all directions, telling each story with skittering breakbeats, lullaby bells, Eastern winds, acid psychosis and inner-city gritty! I liked the spacey interlude of "Reflections In A Pond At Dawn" and "Controlled Burn," which has a swanky, blue hue, complemented by piano & horn. There is more here than meets the eye. The vocal samples from Paul E, a Lower Haight Street native set the tone for a wacky yet wise composition. Ms.E!
"Emotion is a language--as an artist you're decoding and recoding it. That's why the album's called Coded Language. Instead of trying to explain to someone about my music--forget that--I ask 'how does it make you feel'? I don't say 'listen to my music,' I say 'feel it.' If you feel it, that's all it is," says Krust himself, reigning from the Bristol-born Represent clan (Roni Size, Die, Suv, etc.). Krust unleashes his arsenal of drum tek with this long-awaited full-length album. Although the tough jazz flavor rolls out in true Krust form, this was not a solo project. What makes it stand out is the haunting voice of Morgan (a woman who has worked with breakbeat pioneer A Guy Called Gerald)--featured on tracks like "Excuses," "Re-arrange," "Guilty" and "Soldiers." One cannot miss the raging call of Saul Williams (of "SLAM" fame) on the title track single. "One Moment" is a beatless string-opera orchestrated by Krust which makes me feel the most . . . and that's all it is. Ms.E!
Medicine Drum, the techno-pagan tribal band, has put out their second album, Talking Stick, a magical collection of soundscapes for the body and soul. The Talking Stick, which Native Americans passed around during ceremonies to determine speaking order, was passed around to some of the top electronic music producers around the world. Chris Deckker, founder of Medicine Drum, worked with each artist to create a unique album of tribal trance. Medicine Drum's tribal percussion shines throughout the album, creating a fusion of organic and digital, live and electric, new and old. Talking Stick begins with the sound of didgeridoo, on the melodic and upbeat trance song "Written in Stone," co-produced with Jeremy Van Campen of Laughing Buddha. Shakta's Sebastian Taylor co-produced the incredible vocals and gypsy-style strings on the next track, "Queen of Cups." "Trustafari" is pure enjoyable energy, a psy-trance song co-produced with German artists Claus Drewing and Volker Konig. Original Medicine Drum member and trance pioneer Andy Guthrie, producer for Eat Static and Banco de Gaia, co-produced three tracks on the album, including "Rattlesnake" which features the amazing vocals of Irina Miklailova. Medicine Drum just finished filming a music video for "Rattlesnake," produced by UV99 visual artist Glen Grillo, and should be out soon. Justin Weiner
The synthesizer trio who have been known as Plone since 1997 like to sprinkle their sense of play and amusement all over their music. This release debuts the act after much thought to decide how the album's whole sound should come out. It seems they decided to put down big splashes of vocoder and melophone along with tendencies towards melodic expression that makes the listener feel pleasantly child-like rather than dreary. In any case, their live performances and singles have helped build up an audience for their particular style of idiosyncrasy. While each individual track might not have the complexity of their 7" on Wurlitzer, if merely heard alone, together they cohere well into a sonic theme. Sophia
Sasha releases this CD5 with tracks "Xpander," "Belfunk," "Rabbitweed," and "Baja," showcasing Sasha's composition and production (Charlie May shares credits on some of the writing). The title track follows what most come to expect from Sasha's sounds: light and airy fluctuations accompanied by trance beats, but it is no ordinary Sasha track. At over 11 minutes long, some have called it epic and an opus. (He created it as one of the pieces for the video game Wipeout 3, where the player races along defying gravity, if you get the picture). Except for the edited version of "Xpander," all the tracks on the EP are similarly timed and their placement in relation to each other matches the way he DJs: building gradual movement to a climax of hard electronics then winding down to beautiful atmospherics. Somehow you leave feeling that the end is relaxing and beautiful. Sophia
Electrocircusrock! Have you ever been dragged to circus and didn't really want to go? Well the Space Raiders are offering to be your personal chaperones. UK's Skint label has brought you such acts as Fatboy Slim and Lo Fidelity Allstars. The Raiders are anticipating the invasion of your Stereophonic Hi-Fi! The first track, "Raiders Rock The Nation" sets it off with a groovy downtempo beat to get you in the mood for their psycho-electro-poppiness. Track six, "Glam Raid" has an incredibly glamourous techno build with the driving vocal loop, "Dance to the rythym of that rock-n-roll sound" that takes you to the next level of insanity--love it! Campy these guys are, but don't get me wrong, I wouldn't know what to do if I never heard this CD. Probably live a more normal and productive life, but who wants to do that anyway? Track eight, "I Need the Disco Doctor" moves us towards the more housey side of these fellows. With the melting pot of eclectic music styles these guys must be into, you can't lose; especially with their talent to experiment and come up with some the most disturbing party anthems you have ever heard! Lock your doors, the Space Raiders are coming! Jefsta
G-Stone is at the forefront of modern, cultured world-music. Label highlights such as "Chocolate Elvis" and the classic K&D's "G-Stoned" are as frequent as their releases. Late last year, world-renowned label mates Peter Kruder and Richard Dorfmeister led the pack and released enough downtempo to keep any DJ smiling. Just before the turn of the year/decade/century/millennium, Kruder debuted his solo act with the self-titled album Peace Orchestra (see review) and now just after we have digested that, here is Dorfmeister's gift to begin 2000. Elegantly produced, Dr. Richard and Tosca studio partner Rupert Huber give us a beautifully-crafted, deep and sincere gift of music (appropriately dedicated to Shunryu Suzuki, the late Japanese Zen priest and founder of the San Francisco Zen Center). All twelve tracks are semi-mixed together, almost segued, giving this album a smooth meditative flow and a journey-like experience for the listener. Simplicity is the key here and a trademark of the Label. Easy downtempo "boom-bat" sits as a foundation for light uplifting strings, guitar ("Boss on the Boat"), and international vocals: French ("Honey"), Japanese ("Suzuki") and Austrian ("Annanas"). Each track seems comfortable with its place in the journey of the album as a whole. This is it from start to finish. As long as this label is around, downtempo will be too. Gabe Real
Staight out of the electronic ghettos of Manchester comes this highly recommended compilation from Freeform featuring Perfect Combination, M/CR Movement, Accidental Heroes, Sappo and Sonic Raize. Attention all heads: Don't miss this! With tracks like "Youwithmenow" by M/CR Movement, you can't go wrong with the deliciously sexy vocal loop and the bouncy entrancing vibrations of the bass that pulse through your body will unstoppably keep your booty on the dance floor. Track five, "The Machine," starts with deep flowing ambient strings that set you off for your journey. Then the slammin', crunchy drums kick in to get you stompin'! Definitely a floor mover along the likes of the more recent Konflict and Tech Itch projects. Don't worry DJs, this ten-track marvel is also available on vinyl! Uh oh, look out for Sonic & Raize with their track "Jacknife." I must say this track is SICK! Sonic & Raize held nothing back from us with their obvious skills to move forward in this rapidly advancing technological warfare we are experiencing through D&B. Keep it comin', Ye-uh!! Keep your ears to the ground for more from this camp. Freeform has got it going on! Jefsta
If you were to collect pieces of music from all around the world, you would inevitably end up with the same series of songs contained on this CD. Each song tells a story of acousti-geographic influence fused with modern electronic soundscapes. Traditional sounds, instruments and techniques from around the world are seamlessly blended with a variety of slow-grooving rhythms, tribal beats, angelic voices and ambient layers, leaving the listener feeling relaxed and somehow in touch with the ancient shamans. From the rhythmic, lulling drums in "Voices (From A Distant Planet)" by Cybertribe to the enchanting melody of "Parada" by Marcome, you will find the chaos of civilization melting away. Kick off your shoes, light some incense, grab a good book and snuggle into your favorite chair. No matter what your musical background or taste, this CD will send you into a dreamy bliss. Wunjo
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Artist: THE BABY NAMBOOS
Artist: DADDYLONGLEGS
Artist: EUPHORIA
Artist: FUTURE ENGINEERS
Artist: HINDS BROTHERS
Artist: KRUST
Artist: MEDICINE DRUM
Artist: PLONE
Artist: SASHA
Artist: SPACE RAIDERS
Artist: TOSCA
Artist: VARIOUS ARTISTS
Artist: VARIOUS ARTISTS
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