(08.03.07) D’arcangelo have always been a name to reckon with in the world of
electronic music. The Italian duo of Fabrizio and Marco D’Arcangelo have had
an array of incarnations during their musical life time, releasing under
monikers such as Centuria City, Automia Division and Monomorph to name but a
few. The pair have found themselves on a variety of labels, such as Hot
Trax, Passarani’s Nature Records and Suction Records. But, since the
D’arcangelo EP in 1996, the guys have had a link to Rephlex Records. 2002
saw the return of D’arcangelo to Rephlex with their Broken Toys LP, after
the Shipwreck LP of 1999. Last year, D’arcangelo were back on the Aphex
Twin’s imprint with the Pro 188 EP. Now they have returned to finish what
they started with another full length release, Eksel.
For this release, the partnership has brought together different elements to
produce a clean, clever sound. Deep, sombre chords of Autechresque
electronics opens the album. “Empty Freezer” is a slow track, brimming over
with 90’s IDM sound. The laid back electronics continue as “Elix” floats
past. Techno and electro merge for the light and wonderful “Stepping Out,”
with its stressed acidic lines and sinewave moments. Glitch and electronic
experimentation are another aspect of this release; “Ternat” with its
fragmented beats is a PC produced crunch work that illustrates D’Arcangelo’s
more abstract side.
Warm analogue tones are never far away on this album, either finding
themselves in the background or taking centre stage such as with “Inside.”
This warmth and analogue appreciation is carried on into “H13,” but the
beats are split to produce a complex broth of electronic sound. Ambient
techno is served up in the form of “Saturn.” Clicked beats, deep
undercurrents and wonderful piano keys are the ingredients of this piece,
with some bass trudges peppered conservatively. One of the tracks of the
album.
Crisp beats are mixed with simple electro keys to create “Sundart.” The
track has a minimal feel to it, but there are some IDM influences in here
too. Electro and electronica are once more brought together for “The Asker.”
The beats are computer, the backdrop is tweaked electro, the melody is bass
electronic; all elements melted together to produce an atmospheric piece of
music. Disjointed electronica is brought back for the glitched and
micro-processed “Irko” before the synth centred “A Grey Sunday” moves in,
the latter being a wonderful throwback to D’arcangelo’s early sound. That
lush synth sound is continued into “Nadine,” but the beats have a more
electronic influence. Soulful electronix, in the form of “Distant Sound Of
Nothing More,” ushers the album to its completion.
D’arcangelo have gelled aspects of electronica, techno and electro to create
a distinctive sound. Vintage synthesizers are accompanied by computerised
snares, PC melodies are coupled with 808 drum beats. This gives the album a
rounded and reflective tone, electronic music produced with past electro
knowledge whilst looking forward.
Eksel is out now on Rephlex. [Purchase CD
