(03.31.08) [Ref. D::N Playlist #279] n5MD‘s Bitcrush opens the show every week with “Nimbus Effect.” Next up are a couple of tracks from Meat Beat Manifesto‘s (MBM) latest single on Planet Mu entitled Lonely Soldier (precursor to the release of Autoimmune). Both of the remixes (“Lonely Solder” and “Guns N Lovers”) are chock full of dub infested mayhem with distorted beats and rumbling bass remixed by Jack Dangers, master techician. Scorn‘s Stealth on Ad Noiseam compliments MBM’s sinister basslines, “Stripped Back Hinge” focuses on dark and dubby rhythms that don’t let up. Pridon‘s “Who Are You?” which is featured on the new Apnea Eina full length with Greece-based Low Impedance has more of a darkened electro feel; its rapid fire beats are the backbone to this distress call of electronic fury. Tzolk’in‘s new album Haab’ (featured cover art) on Ant-Zen projects a more majestic quality, dark once again, yet focused on downbeat rhythms (Ninja Tune style), and on the track “K’ayab,” Tzolk’in lays it all down with an ambient opener that eventually flows into bass driven bliss. Xurba‘s “R-Con-D” taken from the fantastic Third Symbol (Kahvi Collective) is a disjointed reggae track that mixes elements of hip-hop, electronics and dub into one remarkable piece.
Next up is a slight change of pace with a couple of digitally manipulated tracks that are highly experimental yet flowing all the same. Qebo‘s “Cancer” (Wroln, Low Impedance) and Autechre’s “Chenc9” (from the new Quaristice, Warp) both feature distorted rhythms, eratic beatwork and precision manipulations. The Secret Life’s “Riversticks” (The Great Book Of Mysteries…, Nophi) is perhaps one of my favourite pieces on the entire album, its sultry opening and glowing melodies remind me of Proem’s fluid electronic acrobatics. Quench‘s “Ration Creed” taken from the new Fanion 12″ EP (Lovethechaos) is more of the usual fluttering beats and ambient underpinnings, however, Quench always manage to keep their sound actively fresh and this EP is no exception. “Motion-Inertia-Axis” by Rontronik is featured on the relatively new Magma EP that came out on the somewhat dormant Töshöklabs label; on “M-I-A,” Rontronik delivers thick slices of rugged beats and ambient sweeps that are both sharp and complex. Sidechain’s “Insect” featured on the new Dubglitch album with Rednetic Recordings (UK), steps into experimental dub and does so with absolute definition. MBM’s “Hellfire (Remix)” is yet another cut from the Planet Mu (digital) single, this time around Jack Dangers rearranges and somehow redefines this already amazing piece. Clark‘s Turning Dragon (Warp) has turned a few heads lately and both “Hote May Slides” and “Ache of the North” are an example of what to expect throughout, definitive dance friendly electronics that simply sparkles from start to end.
Dif:Use (a Funcken brothers side-project) have recently released Mandrake on Japanese imprint Symbolic Interaction and “Nectopod” is just one example of the sounds unveiled throughout; the soundtrack to a mechanical outpost in the middle of space. Evan Bartholomew‘s Caverns of Time (Somnia) also acts as a soundtrack to an invisible movie, though a more tranquil place is occupied with a shoegaze feeling; “We Set Out Into The Caverns of Time” is a just title for this epic piece. Weaving from the vocalized extracts of Evan Bartholomew, I decide to mix in the subtle high tones of Son Of Rose from the album Divisions In Parallel (Dragon’s Eye); “Passage” is an apt title that perfectly blends with Evan Bartholomew’s sound ethos. Port-Royal‘s Afraid to Dance (Resonant) is a solid album that dilutes the border between acoustic and electronic; with “German Bigflies,” this Italian band perfectly blends their sonic pallet with brushed ambience. Boy Is Fiction‘s “If You Hear Me Fall” taken from their recent self-titled release on List delves into lively percussion, cascading rhythms and an accessible sound all their own.
Digital::Nimbus is a weekly electronic music radio show broadcasting from KUCI 88.9 FM in the Irvine, California and surrounding areas with streaming media available at KUCI.org. For more information visit digitalnimbus.com.
