(05.05.05) Jay Fields, proprietor of the Exillon project must have done his homework while the rest of us calculator nerds were nodding off from the VST injections. His musical craftsmanship on Prequiem (Component Records com-118) is top notch. His beats are infectiously danceable and exciting; his use of pre-recorded samples is understated, yet brilliant. His understanding of musical theory (a rarity among modern electronic composers) is vast and venerable.
From the fluid time shift in the opening “Aeiou” to the early Aphex crunchiness of “Revert” and the stomping “XL Lonie,” Exillon shows a diverse palette of styles and feels which are as welcome as the beautiful harmonic content throughout this disc. The latter 1/3 of this disc shows a more playful side to Mr. Fields – treating us to re-triggers of classic breaks from Double Dutch Bus and Rock the Bells on the tracks “Reluctant” and “Pudaw” respectively before annihilating us with “Nuclear Dolphin Jungle” which apparently features some work by the mighty Mochipet.
Exillon is well on his way to becoming part of the lexicon of modern electronics (great labels like Zod and Ad Noiseam just can’t be wrong.) This disc is freakin’ rad!
Prequiem is out now on Component.
