(January 2010) RIGHT, it’s pretty obvious that I’m bias towards the sound of The Netherlands. This is nothing to do with anything but the quality of the productions that are coming out of Dutch cities and towns. A number of labels from The Netherlands have found a herculean following: Bunker, Crème Organization and Viewlexx to name but a few. But there are other labels out there pushing the boundaries of electronics. Narrominded is an imprint that might have managed to stay off a number of listeners radar screens, but recalibrate your equipment and you might be in for another surprise from Holland.
Narrominded has released music since 2000 and is serving up sound to get your teeth into. The label has been running a split LP series since 2003, with artists such as Accelera Deck, Kettel and recently Legowelt taking part. Such a line up would suggest a leaning towards the electronica aspect of electronic music, but this is not the case. The latest split is Garcon Traupe and Legowelt. The latter serves up some solid soundtrack electronics, utilizing his library of vintage synthesizers to produce soundscapes of analogue honey. Garcon Traupe may be a new name to many readers (he was to me), but on putting the needle to this record he is a name you won’t skim over again. Complex electro is the name of the game, but with a serious upbeat and dance friendly edge. This latest split sees Narrominded pushing boundaries between deep electronic composition and floor focused electro.
2009 saw more interesting material emitted from the Narrominded camp. In 1975 Brian Eno released his seminal album, Another Green World. Just before the LP’s 35th birthday Narrominded sought to bring a new spin to this classic with Another Another Green World. Mastered by the giant that is Alden Tyrell, Another Another Green World features some of the cream of the Dutch electronic scene such as Rude 66 and Legowelt but features works from new artists. Garcon Traupe, Hyrdus and This is Total War. Each artist brings their own style and lilt to Eno’s classics, bringing a freshness to material from more than a quarter of a decade ago.
Just before a new decade arrived Narrominded had one last thing to say, this time an EP by Hunter Complex. This CD and download release is the debut release of Hunter Complex and features remixes by Garcon Traupe, Spoelstra and Coen Oscar Polack. The EP is a work across the fields of electronics, moving from synth pop into deconstructive electronics and into instrumental piano compositions.
Narrominded’s catalogue is diverse; it tests the waters of electronics with some very interesting results. For anyone wanting to discover something new, go no further than this imprint as you are guaranteed to find something that will undoubtedly itch that scratch.
