(03.03.07) With the overwhelming abundance of underground IDM released on small labels, it’s nearly impossible to pick something new and worthy of notice, unless driven by the presence of bigger known names, like what happened to me with The Designed Disorder compilations. Another chance is that someone that knows your tastes (i.e. the mighty Editor) sends you something that might appeal. This is precisely the case of Buried In Time, I’ve never heard of the label nor a single artist on it, but it’s definately an above the mean compilation with some really interesting pieces.
Skip for a moment the first track, that resembles some old fashioned Autechre, and enjoy the bass heavy hiccupping breaks of Azmotronik’s “Target” and “Last One In For Breakfast,” something akin to Soul Oddity or to the first Tipper works, the latter track in particular is as gloomy as simple. Ignatius’ “Gridpit” is also quite nice; while his remixed (by others) tracks are less memorable; BTK features only one track, but the furious hip-hop drumming of “Ansiedad De Piloto” is one of the most striking moments of the entire disc, something that calls for a solo album release soon. Dampkrane productions are bouncy and melodic, I’d say “Kalimbamudd” is my favourite, with a fresh four to the floor vibe that could be mixed with some [a]pendics.shuffle; his sound is the most detailed and refined of the lot. To close with a change of mood there’s [SiK]’s “Fabulous Disaster,” a straight, slow paced techno creeper, much colder than the previous music, and finally Let’s Go Outside vs. Senor Frio present a bizarre patchwork of hissing noises and acquatic analog sounds, quite unsettling and suprisingly good.
My advice is, if you can find a copy, purchase it and you won’t be disappointed, there’s still room for non-formulaic electronica even in 2007.
Buried In Time is out now on Buried In Time.
