(03.13.08) Rephlex has always been a force to be reckoned with in electronic music. Since the label’s inception it has fostered a devoted following whilst doling out electro, acid, techno, electronica, grime and a host of other sounds. In recent years, many have began to question Rephlex’s branching out into new styles; some believing that the label was losing or at least diluting its roots. Those who make such claims hark back to what is seen as Braindance’s golden age (as deplorable, if not more so, a term as IDM.) This epoch of Braindance saw releases by the likes of D’Arcangelo, DMX Krew, Global Goon, Squarepusher, Cylob, AFX and a myriad of other talented electronic artists; one such artist being Gianluigi Di Costanzo better known as Bochum Welt. Di Costanzo returns to his label home after eleven years of imprint travelling, hitting destinations such as Fuzzy Box, Hymen and Device. Now Bochum Welt is back where he made his name with a brand of deep analogue electronics, with his latest release R.O.B. or Robotic Operating Buddy featuring some new material and some classic tracks from the past.
R.O.B. is a double CD release, the first disc, R.O.B featuring unheard pieces whilst the second disc, Robotic Operating Buddy, features three of Bochum Welt’s four Rephlex outings: “Desktop Robotics” (the double vinyl edition with the extra life tracks), “Module 2” and “Feelings on a Screen.”
R.O.B. sets out with “Flag,” an acidified piece of electro. The track sounds like some of the Module 2 material, but pushed further with a much starker computer aggression interwoven. The track even features some samples, a rarity in Bochum Welt pieces. The title piece, “Robotic Operating Buddy,” moves in next. The track appears to be a remix, or perhaps remake, of “Desktop Robotics.” The track is more or less the same as the original, with some minor tweaks here and there. “Saint (Dmix)” is an unreleased version of Bochum Welt’s “Saint Tropez” which featured on Fashion, a mini CD released on Hymen. The track has a wonderful synthy melody, something that Di Costanzo is second to none at creating. Video game chords are blended with bubbling analogues and light beats to produce a warm and catchy piece of electronics. “8221SB” floats in with a relaxing air of electronica and lush C64 memories, a dreamy work that ushers in “Interlude (Extended)” beautifully “Interlude (Extended)” is a longer version of the “Martians and Spaceships” original, a crisp work with some magnificent piano chords. “DR2D” brings the listener back to brand new ground, but keeps them in a warm embrace of laid back electronics. The track is almost beatless, being dominated by waves of inviting ambience. Di Costanzo returns to his love of video games with the chirpy arcade antics of “Gyromite.” Playful synthlines dance across the track as some samples fall between crisp drums; a piece quite reminiscent of some of Gimmik’s past work. The almost soundless “Test Mode” offers little more than filling and at best, or most generous, a cleansing of the listener’s aural palette. “HC-012” is another story altogether, with that warm and addictive analogue melody returning.
Somehow Di Costanzo has the ability to produce such warm and yet so heartbreaking music with simple synthesizer lines, “HC-012” being a perfect example of this. The album moves back into remake territory with “Family Computer Robot” which takes its beats from “Desktop Robotics,” a track that seems to be a favorite of Di Costanzo’s. The track is more of a remix than “Robotic Operating Buddy” which is much more of a mirroring of the original “Desktop Robotics.” “Family Computer Robot” has some nice aspects, but a fresher track might have fitted better after “HC-012.” “FCS” completes the first disc in real Bochum Welt style. The warm friendly synthlines are back with some quirky space satellite samples. The beats are measured and compliment the analogue tones perfectly to round off R.O.B. nicely.
Disc two, Robotic Operating Buddy, offers the listener Bochum Welt’s entire back catalogue on Rephlex bar Scharlach Eingang. The CD starts with “Extra Life” taken from the bonus 12″ of Desktop Robotics. The tracks is a work of amazing analogue electronics, full of autumnal sun and Atari throwbacks; one of Di Costanzo’s best tracks to date. The album moves from Module Two with a brief respite in “Asteroids Over Berlin” before returning to Bochum Welt’s first album. As the disc progresses Desktop Robotics moves in with the wonderful works of “Feelings on a Screen” bringing Robotic Operating Buddy to a close.
R.O.B. is one of the best Rephlex releases in recent years. It would have been nice if disc one features some more original pieces, and a 4LP version would have been a real treat; but despite these meager complaints R.O.B. is a triumph. Disc one gives the electronic audience new tracks created by an artist whose sound has never been reproduced. Bochum Welt is a master of warm analogue electronics, with the first CD offering the listener an array on unheard gems. Disc two is emblematic of why Rephlex has become the label it is, amazing works that sound as fresh today as they did when they first hit the shelves over ten years ago. For anyone contemplating the purchase of an electronic album, or throwing their headphones into the analogue arena, look no further than R.O.B. as disappointment is not included with this two disc set.
R.O.B. (Robotic Operating Buddy) is out now on Rephlex. [Purchase
