(02.12.05) Having celebrated Boltfish’s first birthday in January 2005, the progress of this UK-based MP3/CDr label continually reaches for perfection release after release. And they’ve done so with a variety of cross-pollinating genres –the progression of each artist on Boltfish ranges from old-school electronica through electro-acoustic fragments. The aesthetic is to nurture a high quality collection of artists whose music complements each other and gives something melodic, interesting and sometimes challenging to the audience.
As the Boltfish name gains further momentum and exposure, their sites are set high for 2005, setting out to introduce new ideas to their already growing fan base. A mini-comp is underway in the coming months that will showcase more new artists for this expanding collective. Live gigs are penciled in and are currently under development. The Boltfish crew has also mentioned recently that their release packaging will consistently upgrade so that both the feel and artwork can be slightly better for those who buy Boltfish (CDr) releases.
Similar labels such as Clickclickdrone, Octoberman, Rednetic and Sutemos have been establishing a broader sense of community and Boltfish is not one to sit in the background; they’re part of the overall mission to create, recreate, foster and expand the creative functions of their musicians, one release at a time. And with that, Igloo steps back (and forth) into a few of the titles available on Boltfish Recordings.
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Mint’s Audubon EP features six tracks ranging from the delicate quiver of “Albert the Bull” to the simple melodic ambiences of “Dairy Queen.” Match this EP with Plone and you may be hard-pressed to realize who’s who. That’s not to say that Mint’s sound isn’t unique; in fact it’s quite the opposite. Meandering melodies trickle their way into the subconscious without notice. Randomized vocal snippets appear and disappear just as the layers of fog pass through the morning sky. It’s the inner reflections that are sparked on the Audibon EP where tracks like “Grain Bin” and “Open Field” activate the feelings within seconds, “Eskimo Hole” and “Auger” close off the disc with minimal tendencies afloat in the water. Audubon EP is a pleasant grand opening as the first release on the label, and one that is sure to be remembered for its classical nature.
Karmøy’s 3-track Faded Pictures EP describes itself quite well. The title tracks unleashes a nostalgic flavor that casually clicks and flicks its way around a sizzling backdrop just as the beat begins to take shape. “Pivotal Moments” also manifests earlier Pole concepts of minimal refractions and snapping revelations. The differences occur when a glitchy backbone of melodies weave their way from the foreground into what could be described as fluid electrical fluctuations. On the closing “Adjunct,” the emotional reveal of synths is ever present, a sincere melody subliminally merges with Lexaunculpt style precision. It’s the presence of ingenuity and creativity that allows “Adjunct” to close Faded Pictures with absolute control and finesse.
Bolt003 was reserved for Zainetica (Rednetic Recordings) who offers the mechanically entrancing Remembrance EP. The title track plucks its way through distant guitar moments and acute attention to soft beats. An ambient world groove is present on “Why,” perhaps considered to be the downbeat highlight of this EP. And rightly so. On “Resurrection” an amateur, instrumental beat flourishes in a sea of analog synths, but it simply doesn’t want to grow –instead we’re left with a dizzying reflection of melancholy moments. Closing up this 20-minute affair is the elegantly romantic electronics of “Something to Remember You By.” The pleasant soft-funk of this piece compliments “Why” in such a way that I’d say the two would make a great 7-inch release on Ninja Tune.
Fast foward to Bolt010, the 4-track EP by Complex Routine entitled Darning My Socks. On this classical Skam-infested beat monger, we’re introduced to the cyclical effects of rhythmic ambiences and old-school techno appeals (as noted on the opener, “The End of a Dream”). Elsewhere you’ll find church anthems ringing around door-bell chimes and regurgitated digital flux. Don’t take this the wrong way, however, Complex Routine is well versed in being able to reveal complex programming next to swift if not classical progressions (“Leave Me with my Song” and “Darning my Socks (No One Comes Near),” for example). On “Delayed Truth,” the closing track, Complex Routine opens the flood-gates and arranges a wash of ambiences next to stuttering beat work and eerie rhythms –simply mind-bending.
Mint returns with yet another EP on Manmade Nature, the extravagant sounds of post-modern electronica. Rather than focusing on the minimalism featured on the Audubon EP, Mint allows his beats to grow on their own –meshing threaded moments of faded memories next to syncopated beats that has a Boards of Canada feel. Remaining true to form and function Manmade Nature hints at nature inspired by human interaction. The focus of such an EP seems genuinely procured by a mission to produce emotive, inspirational moments. And it does just that. By pouring the inner details of the soul and mixing them with electronic production, Mint has produced an EP that fans of Suction Records may really enjoy.
Bolt012 by Cheju is simply lovely. A Year Apart opens with what sounds like a tranquilized Lowfish cut –instead of focusing on the upbeat, it delivers synthetic fluctuation over time. Its immediate opening of warm melodies and Plod-like feel is a crafty emotional number. Elsewhere you’ll find bouncy electro pieces such as “Expodec” and “Blots,” tracks that would fit quite well in the chill-out room of your local electronic pub. “Microform” weaves a web of sincere experimentation. The skewed beat pattern and delicate melodies close up this disc rather quickly –leaving the listener in a confused state. A Year Apart is the perfect journey featuring exquisite electronic moments and an overall feel that has you simply itching for their next release.
Richard Houghten’s Slow Poke EP represents the indie-tronic style of the Boltfish aesthetic. Merging sizzling ambience with creative atmospheric elements, the guitars featured on this 6-track EP make up for the short track-lengths. Richard Houghten made an appearance on the Region Zero compilation with his signature calm inner reflections. The instrumental flickering guitars are ever so subtle that they systemically become part of the landscape. Had Slow Poke been a Live mix-disc rather than individual cuts, the flow of this EP might have made more sense to the audience. Nonetheless, prepare yourself for a relaxing trip through the eyes and ears of this talented musician who offers up nothing by pure soul in his arrangements.
On Polestar’s Camplex EP, Boltfish leaves no leaf unturned. The emotional punctuation of melodies may remind some listeners of Gridlock’s ambient tendencies –the sincerity of each beat complimenting each other perfectly. As a glimpse of what to expect from Polestar, this 4-track EP shines bright in the experimental ambient territory. “Moonbounce” and “8b12” are the magnetic swirls of thoughts that pass by in a lifetime, while “A Poke in the Eye” and “This Field of Beats” energizes the masses with synthetic grooves and an appeal towards electro transmissions with razor-sharp rhythms. Polestar is definitely poised to make a difference on the Camplex EP, casting a shadow on the genre by revealing everything that motivates. This field of beats is ripe and ready to implode. Now get out there and grab this EP before it grabs you!
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Check the Boltfish website for release dates and availability of the titles listed in the reviews above.
