Council Meeting Memo #002
DJ ADHD: Vortex EP (Pretty Weird, EP)
I like the idea of drum machine workouts, but the reality of listening to them in a home / headphone setting has mostly been a less-than-satisfying experience. Whilst most of these tracks fall into the trap of “yeah, this would sound great in a club” syndrome. There is the odd moment where something beyond the expected narrative occurs. Skip opener ‘Blem’ which was too messy for my already scatty millennial brain to handle and the equally frenetic ‘Wobble’. Clear winner here is the laser-zap fest of the title track, which dips its toe into energetic electro during the closing phases. 808 909 2021. SA
BHED: Somni EP (Row, EP)
He wears glasses and he’s German! So this has to be good, right? Well, sorta. It’s certainly accomplished but not without flaws. Mood urgently set up the opening rusted metallic clang of ‘Leaving’ which made an impact on the home system but irritated me when I ran it through the headphones whilst on the 88 bus. ‘Nif’ is more stripped back but doesn’t develop as much as I’d like it to. The title track passed by without incident but a late goal came in the form of Pugilist’s remix. Which flirts with jungle without wholly committing. The subtle melodic lines underpinning the hi-end clatter is most welcome too. SA
Nils Petter Molvaer: Stitches (Modern, Album)
Not jazz, not rock, not dance, but music. Awkward isn’t it? Hence the relative lack of profile for the Norwegian trumpeter. Molvaer is a descendent of Miles Davis’ decades-long fight to liberate himself of some peoples’ need for genre conformity. In recent years Molvaer has moved away from overt harnessing of contemporary dance music, first heard via his rebirth debut Khmer, so breakbeats and the like are mostly out. What we hear instead is a mixture of rock, jazz and electronica — deliciously produced and delightfully mournful. If you need a pigeonhole, file under Sui Generis. CB
Eivind Aarset: Phantasmagoria, or A Different Kind of Journey (Jazzland, Album)
All the above apply just as much to Aarset, a one-time member of Molvaer’s band. Both men have been consistently innovative over more than two decades. Aarset is inspired by Scandinavian death metal, Brian Eno’s ambient journeys and contemporary electronica, that latter connection underlined by the album design undertaken by The Designers Republic. The music, collectively developed by the quartet, is consistently rich and dark, and often heavy. Some dismiss production quality as self-indulgence, but listen with open ears and you’ll find real beauty here. Special mention should be given to the gorgeous Manta Ray with Arve Henriksen guesting. Take the journey. CB
2Lanes: No Exit (Autoshop Sounds, Single)
Enjoyably throwaway morsel of hyperactive techno. No point in really dissecting any of this. Every track pummels and pounds like its life depended on it. But amongst the motorik carnage, there’s a nice line in texture and melody struggling to be heard above the 4/4 din. ‘Head Rush’ is the choice pick. SA
