Council Meeting Memo #004
J.S.Zeiter: Ryoko 01 (Ryoko, Single)
I remember this guy’s name since the mid 90’s so it’s a nice surprise to see that he’s still at it. He peddles atmospheric dub techno with a cinematic feel. Tonally a lot less darker than the Basic Channel stuff, melodies soar and are full of optimism. Admittedly, we’re hardly on original ground here. However, if you’re in the right head space, this totally hits the spot. ‘Radium’ is dreamy and dubby, ‘Silver’ is dreamier. SA
Baby Rollen: Near Future EP (Magic Carpet, EP)
Discogs has ‘Breaks’ listed as one of the genres for this, but don’t let that put you off. Elements of Acid, House and indeed Acid House run rampant throughout this confident and varied EP. The title track squares up to you with its urgent and menacing atonal pulse that hovers just above an undulating breakbeat. ‘Untitled [Return Trip]’ takes its foot off the pedal for a more languid ride. ‘Dirty Blonde’…meh, rubbed me up the wrong way with its bright palette and annoying flirtations with disco. Best head for the exit with ‘wys’ as your guide, a stripped back groove with a satisfyingly chunky bassline. SA
Burnt Sugar: Angels Over Oakanda (Self Released, Album)
Originally inspired by Hendrix, ’70s Miles Davis, P-Funk and the creative conduction of Butch Morris, Greg Tate’s super-project hoves into view again and it’s a sight to gladden the eye. That could be a terrible metaphor except there’s something about the music that conjures visions Mati Klarwein-like echoed in the cover art’s illustration of a woman’s afro transmogrifying into an Incan pyramid. The opening title track ranges between groove chimera and shimmering mirage, but sags a little in the final stage of its 18 minute length. It’s then subject to a number of reinterpretations which render it afresh, threads of the original catching the ear and being rewoven to create new tapestries of sound. Burnt Sugar’s website says ‘Celebrating 20+ Years of Avant Groiddnuss’. Hard to argue. CB
DJ Seinfeld: Mirrors (Ninja Tune, Album)
It’s great. It is…honest. But it’s not ‘Time Spent Away From U’ which was his debut. Why? Well, on that album, the stuff that was out-of-focus, the rough-around-the-edge production gave it its signature sound / mood / vibe. Here he’s polished all that, leaving you with very bright, clean sounding house music that sounds less unique. He still commands a strong grasp of melody and kick though. Clearly demonstrated on the euphoric heart-break that is ‘U Already Know’. SA
Various Artists: Tokyo Dreaming (Wewantsounds, Compilation)
A perfect musical encapsulation of a specific time and place, expertly compiled by globetrotting DJ Nick Luscombe from the vaults of Nippon Columbia. Would be unfair for me pick out any highlights, but I am unfair so I’m gonna do it anyway. Mariah’s ‘Shinzo No Tobir’ builds an entire world for you to immerse yourself in, all within the space of 5 minutes. ‘Self Control’ by Chika Asamoto fuses urban saxophone with uptempo electro that instantly evokes the movies of John Hughes. ‘Soul LIfe’ by Haruo Chikada & Vibra-Tones is a brilliant Police pastiche. Juicy Fruits (great name!) deliver a sugar-filled overdose of jump up pop. Highlight though is the astonishing Tokyo-via-Detroit proto-techno of ‘Heartbeat’ by Colored Music. Pre-empting the same musical space as Carl Craig by a full decade. SA
