Organ groans call forth earthen percussion, dripping clanks and clods of drum soon shed of their organic trappings as industrial tones begin to dominate.
Rusted patterns fracture into new shapes
Dirk Bikkembergs is synonymous with fashion. Having graduated in 1982, the Danish designer was turning heads with his ideas from the very start. From such beginnings, Bikkembergs has grown into a global style brand which has collected prizes worldwide and worked with a spread of famous names from the world of screen and sport. And what has this trendsetter got to do with electronic music you ask? David Morley has, and is, the answer.
In the early 1990s, R&S Records was growing. Its catalogue of artists, which included the likes of Aphex Twin, was cutting edge with the Belgian imprint being at the very forefront of a new form of electronic music. This turned a few heads, including some particularly creative ones.
At the time, Morley was exploring his own experiments in ambient techno and signed to R&S’ sub-label Apollo, Evolution being his debut EP. While audio avenues were being explored, fresh visual vistas were also in sight. Raymomd Jacquemyns is a designer who Morley became acquainted with, the former being responsible for the Apollo logo and other sleeve covers. Jacquemyns was a friend of Bikkembergs and a project was formed that crossed the divides of sound and style was formed, Morley was set to create the soundtrack to a Paris fashion show. The music from that show is now being released for the first time.
Guitars are shrouded in a haze of fog and smoke for the grand opening to the 12”. Over the next twenty five minutes, the listener will descend into Morley’s musical machinations. Organ groans call forth earthen percussion, dripping clanks and clods of drum soon shed of their organic trappings as industrial tones begin to dominate. This A-Side piece never dips into darker currents, instead shadows are cast over the improvisation as the track leads us deep into squelching caverns before expansive sonic vaults reveal themselves. The journey is continued on the flip, and this EP is a serious journey. Images of abandoned factories and lost worlds come to mind as the needle traverses the coarse textures of rugged percussion. Rhythms become the central column from which Morley delves ever deeper, rusted patterns fracture into new shapes as an Autechresque line of electronica unfolds. Arcs of melody circle the broken shells of kick and snare, snarls of string seething in the recesses of this cinematic score.
Morley fondly remembers the entire experience. “There was a lot of crossover at the time between the different creative fields. It’s certainly felt like there was a movement in Belgium at the time as everybody was positive for Belgium and the music that was being created.” Although Bikkembergs provided a brief, Morley had free rein to create as he saw fit. Such freedom created a composition that pushed the boundaries of what was being produced at the time. While techno was the dominant sound of R&S, this 12” stretches its elements to illuminate new horizons and bridge different artforms. Morley is extremely humble in his recollections of the time. “I was very pleased with it at the time and a lovely bonus was a great big Bikkembergs leather jacket.” Interesting things can happen when you put a few creative people in a room together.
Fashion is available on De:tuned. [Bandcamp]
