Friday, August 21, 2009

Cyclic Defrost Magazine

Cyclic Defrost Magazine

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Aoi – 5 Track Sampler (demo)

Posted: 21 Aug 2009 07:59 AM PDT

Aoi demo

How and why would you review a release that doesn't exist? As a demo, replies the editor, and that's all I was really after, an excuse to review a collection of five tracks by Melbourne outfit Aoi (pronounced Ay-oy). Aoi DJ's as Black Cat in Melbourne, creating a great deal of interest, but it's the production of Aoi that has really interested me. What started with a bunch of water-damaged records and some drum machines has evolved into some of the most progressive hip-hop production coming out of Melbourne.

'Mk-Ultra' rocks with a sharp drum break, twisted bass sample, repetitive tone and turntable touches, I just wish it would go on for longer. 'Floral Foam' heads into wonky territory, disjointed beats, rolling bass and lush 80's synth workouts. 'Mayday' steps back to a dirty drum break, an atonal melody and vocal snatches, again, I just want to hear more. 'Decades Of Rust' nails a rolling drum break, layered with lush melancholic strings, taking me back to classic MoWax material. 'Played' deals in Flying Lotus territory, lush moods and melodies, clipped beats, electronic wizardry usually associated with labels such as Warp, and fractured vocal snatches, a really organic sound which could be compared to Boards Of Canada.

This is some of the most refreshing hip-hop I have heard in some time, and I'm very keen to hear more. Lets hope a physical release will follow soon. Check out more at www.myspace.com/mattholamew, more free music for your ears there too.

Wayne Stronell

Remdog – Marabu Series 7” & digital download package (2600 Recordings)

Posted: 21 Aug 2009 07:53 AM PDT

2600 Recordings having been releasing a trickle, but every release has been pure fire, from the original compilation showcasing much new talent, the outstanding Buddy Peace limited mixtape Wolf Diesel Mountain, and two exquisitely packaged 7" and CDR/digital by Tempa and Giallos Flame, they now bring us another lovingly assembled package from Remdog.

Remdog's roots as a veteran graffiti artist and member of electro-acoustic hip-hop group Reptiles, has seen the group release only a handful of releases on Jazz Fudge, a 7", 12" and a remix here and there. As a solo artist Remdog has released a free digital EP Shadow In Your Rear View on the outstanding net label Myuzyk, a testing ground for larger things, but ultimately becoming involved with 2600 Recordings, a small label, but sharing a similar philosophy and design ethic.

The Marabu Series EP is yet another highly limited release, only 250 copies pressed of two of the heaviest tracks off the seven track digital EP, the download card as part of the vinyl package so you don't miss out. The package oozes a resurgence of DIY, hand made packaging and artwork, each copy featuring exclusively screen printed artwork by Remdog himself, hand stamped and numbered as you'd expect from the label.

Remdog's musical palette for this EP takes inspiration from his seven favourite colours in the Marabu range of paints, creating a tight glitched tapestry of sound. Glitch-hop it may be, full of drum clicks, dark geometric synth waves, and deep electronic cavenous soundscapes. The tracks evoke such a diverse range of artists work, from Prefuse73, Rustie, downtempo Warp releases, and early AI Records releases, skewed electronics, but with a hip-hop attitude. Standout's 'Violet Red' with its mesh of Autechre rhythms and Boards Of Canada warm melody, 'Camine Red' portrays a ghost of dubstep fed through a tone generator, 'Ultramarine' riding the geometric sine waves on a bed of gurgling melody, to more Autechre style abstraction of 'Medium Yellow'.

A stunning package, highly collectable, exquisitely produced, lovingly assembled, you can feel the love. I for one need more.

Wayne Stronell

at 5:10 PM