As the genres continue to meld and diversify when artists interpreted with their own dialect attached, in retrospect, Tone Capsule certainly sits itself in the center of the broad strokes in USA/UK (friendly) rivalry. Which is probably a wonderful nuance seeing the reissue cross the pond with Control Freak.
The sunshine ecosystem has recently unearthed revitalized sounds
With the Miami scene continuing to bubble away like that of a jacuzzi, the sunshine ecosystem has recently unearthed revitalized sounds in the form of a suitably titled Tone Capsule. Perhaps better known as experimental duo Phoenecia and Schematic label heads: Romulo Del Castillo and Joshua Kay return in this reissue as their earlier counterpart Soul Oddity.
Initially released on Astralwerks in 1996, this 11-tracker of techno, electro, and IDM bangers came in the form of three combined EPs. Now remastered from the original DAT tapes by legend Keith Tenniswood (aka Radioactive Man), Tone Capsule has been pressed on 2xLP for the first time ever by London-based Control Freak Recordings.
1996 was an incredibly sonic-rich year for electronic music; Warp, Rephlex, and SKAM were all power-housing artist debuts such as Mira Calix, Squarepusher, and Jega—alongside returning forays from the likes of Boards of Canada and Aphex Twin to name just a handful.
Tone Capsule garners those golden-age sounds & rhythms ::
The influences from the UK can be noted throughout—more so the Astralwerks signings of FSOL and The Chemical Brothers)—yet Soul Oddity mixed these sounds for a refreshing palette that took heed in surrounding communities based out of the USA. As the genres continue to meld and diversify when artists interpreted with their own dialect attached, in retrospect, Tone Capsule certainly sits itself in the center of the broad strokes in USA/UK (friendly) rivalry. Which is probably a wonderful nuance seeing the reissue cross the pond with Control Freak.
With Phoenecia stepping forward next with their debut Randa Roomet (Warp, 1997)—it bares significance that Tone Capsule is a seriously underrated precursor most worthy of your time, as it garners those golden-age sounds and rhythms we have learned to cherish and admire by two wielders of audio courage that would continue to carve the landscape for decades to come.
Control Freak sets this release as its launchpad for the reissue sub-label. We look forward to welcoming the next in their lineup. Fans may also want to check out the reissue programs from labels Lapsus, Delsin, Keplar, and L50 who have taken it upon themselves to assist with the precious archive of rarities too.
Tone Capsule is available on Control Freak. [Bandcamp]
