The guys at 030303 have a track record of sourcing lesser known talent on their collections. The fourth instalment is no exception. Across a wide spectrum, from delicate dreamscapes to bawdy bangers, the Utrecht men are once again unearthing musicians who push the envelope, the decay and powers of that emblematic, once ridiculed, bass machine.
The machines of Roland are at the core of electronic music. Fabled tales of failed rhythm composers come percussion staple, synths that pop musicians made essential kit, but the story of the bass box that thought it could will always be perhaps the most memorable.
The TB303 was a commercial disaster. Hailed as replacing your bassist the silver box sounded more like alien warblings than the warm pluck of a human hand on string. These warblings of this once pawn shop instrument can be heard in all genres of electronic music today, its unmistakable squawk has inspired and continues to do so. Some even set up labels in homage to that acid box that was once shunned and is now worshipped.
030303 have been acid addicted since its inception, the ubiquitous “smiley” grinning from their sleeves. Another particular tipple of the dutch imprint is compilations. The fourth in their “Various” series has just landed in all good record stores and collects a spread of talent from far and wide.
Immediately jumping from the back of the cover are names like Betonkunst, Holovr and The Exaltics, with each offering their own individual slice of squirming funk—Betonkunst’s slow smouldering “Zelfkant” being a personal favourite. Nevertheless, as it has been with many of 030303’s previous collections, the majority of the double LP is given over to new musicians. Opening is Ireland’s Splitradix, a Dublin based artist who featured on a split 7” on 030303 in 2018. A student of electronica and past V/Vm audio assassin, you’d be right in wondering where this surprisingly seasoned sound sculptor’s “Navs’ 202” will lead you. The answer is into beautifully crafted piece of sun-drenched braindance. Deceptively complex and bright, this is a cracking introduction to an artist whose Soundcloud is bursting with excellent examples of his sound. Another contributor exploring brighter tones is Zaphyd with the futuristic and sleek “Milo.” There is also a fair bit of grit to the proceedings, Piepiep’s bitter post-punk “Track 5” or Krampfhaft’s angry grunting offering. Nimbuz aka Wouter van Ophuizen debuts as Dirty Data and delivers a spookhouse work of cut and thrust Analord chicanery. While some let the venomous beast of the TB303 loose, others temper that ferocity. Nacho M. Meyer, an unknown entity by all accounts, serves one of the most balanced and elegant pieces of the eight tracks. “Planeta” judders on a rhythmic railway, notes sailing above hazy lazy lines in this superb debut.
The guys at 030303 have a track record of sourcing lesser known talent on their collections. The fourth instalment is no exception. Across a wide spectrum, from delicate dreamscapes to bawdy bangers, the Utrecht men are once again unearthing musicians who push the envelope, the decay and powers of that emblematic, once ridiculed, bass machine.
Various IV is available on 030303.
