Murcof is the Tijuana based producer Fernando Corona, who has previously released material as Terreste, as well as other material that adopts much the same principles of his more recent style of composition (i.e orchestral cut ups, micro rhythm edits and generally nano-textures and rhythms).
Essentially a remix album all prettied up (as is the fashion of late), Utopia features remixes from a handful of respected producers in the Leaf camp and extended family, with an additional four original Murcof tracks (two already featured on the Ulysses 12″ released previously in 2003) are included.
“Ulysses” introduces Utopia with soaring and sensual pure filmic dissonance. The piece ebbs with a melancholy saunter that is hard to resist. Orchestral string swellings and pulsing bass notes carry the momentum towards the introduction of percussion of the click / glitch variety. The swathe of melodic elements subside as the click-house elements arrive proper.
“Una” and “Ultimatum” perhaps utilize again this aforementioned formula of composition, and whilst being two fine pieces of music, somehow don’t fare so well having experienced the depth and colour of the other original material included on the disc, and both stumble (yet in startlingly beautiful and subtle fashion) a little in their delivery.
Jan Jelinek’s interpretation of “Maiz” plods along pleasantly with a barrage of micro sounds that creep around a soft piano motif, but the full potential of this arrangement of sounds never seems to be realized. The “Deathprod” mix of “Ulysses” is a delightfully brief excursion in dream-like texture and ironically is largely more engaging than the beat and rhythm based remixes present on the disc.
Sutekh’s remix of “Memoria” thankfully chooses to avoid drawn out cut and paste build up techniques and jumps straight into the smooth edged electro groove he does so damn well. Leaf roster favourite Icarus tackles “Maiz” in expected manic twitter and buffer override fashion, once again showing that too much aimless digital manipulation more often than not provides an inaccessible and alien listening experience.
This last point is further emphasized by the following Fax mix of “Ulysses” that so gracefully exercises restraint in its arrangement to such hypnotic effect.
Utopia is out now on Leaf Recordings.
