Category Archives: Switched On

Switched On – Wil Bolton – 23 (Courier Sound)

Posted on by
Reply

by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

Wil Bolton’s interpretation of Courier Sound’s ’23 musical ideas in 23 minutes’ takes its inspiration from a series of walks he made during the year 2023 in East London.

Bolton takes up the story in the press release for the album. “For these walks, I would follow the London Overground railway arches around Leyton, Walthamstow and Forest Gate, fascinated by the mixture and contrast of old and new businesses located beneath the train lines, from mechanics and scrap merchants to micro breweries and artisanal bakeries.

During these walks I also took a set of 23 photographs of these arches and made occasional field recordings on my iPhone. Back in my studio, I combined these lo-fi field recordings of forklift trucks, drilling, welding, pigeons, freight trains, traffic, muffled conversation and birdsong with modular synthesizer sequences and drones, looped Mellotron melodies and effects pedals.”

What’s the music like?

A thoroughly enjoyable listen. Bolton’s musical postcards are varied, colourful and very descriptive of the area in which he walks, and on headphones the listener can get a real sense of perspective – not just from the music but from a few ‘scene setters’ – the opening Freight, the sound of a reversing vehicle on Hazards, the outdoors of the city brought to life.

Elsewhere Bolton uses melodic nuggets or brightly voiced chords to portray his subjects, sometimes in dreamy interludes (Arches) or in fuzzy profiles (Bakers Arms, or the gorgeously voiced Overgrown) These are countered by cautionary asides, or busy electronic activity (Padlocks). There are brief interludes (Hazards, Unauthorised) or slightly extended thoughts such as Boarded Up, where distinctive mottos are introduced.

Does it all work?

It does. The only regret is that some of these pictures and moods are not extended further, as Bolton has a most appealing style, easy on the ear and always creating.

Is it recommended?

Yes. 23 is a colourful, meaningful portrait of an urban borough, but with the relief of natural beauty – all accurately painted in sound.

For fans of… Bibio, Boards of Canada, Future Sound of London, Biosphere

Listen & Buy

Published post no.2,273 – Saturday 17 August 2024

Switched On – Omar Ahmad: Inheritance Remixed (AKP Recordings)

Posted on by
Reply

by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

The ‘sonic invention’ and ‘cosmopolitan outlook’ we identified in a review of Omar Ahmad’s Inheritance album get a second look, courtesy of an imaginative remix project where the whole LP is made over by guest artists.

Ahmad is a Palestinian-American artist, a multi-instrumentalist who has proved a perfect fit for the musically open approach of the Californian label AKP Recordings. The original album saw him take on all instruments, from field recordings to cello, synthesizer, voice and percussion – plenty for the assembled artists to build on.

The tracks of the original are presented in the same order.

What’s the music like?

AKP have cast the net far and wide, meaning the remixed Inheritance veers between widescreen ambience and active beat work-outs. Most of these are extremely effective, too, presenting a tableau that stays faithful to Ahmad’s colourful intentions but uses them as the stimulus for vibrant new creations.

These range from the spacey A Little Time For Me, given a strident hip hop beat by Sam O.B., or Lapses, led by some excellent broken beats with rich colouring from Otodojo. The heat soaked Sham Oasis and roomy Descended from a Wanaque Tree (Borrowed Memory) work really well, remixed by Kirin McElwain and Ki Oni respectively – while Solpara goes the other way, applying a wide-screen view of the clattering beats on Losing A Friend.

More mysteriously, Black Gesso is pulled this way and that by ACE, with mysterious sounds from the depths.

Does it all work?

Pretty much. Sometimes the clatter becomes a bit much on the faster tracks but that’s all a matter of preference – the feeling being that Ahmad’s music is most expressive at a slower tempo.

Is it recommended?

It is – a great complement to the original album, and a lesson in how best to approach a remix album.

For fans of… Thievery Corporation, Aim, RJD2, Blockhead

Listen & Buy

Published post no.2,269 – Tuesday 13 August 2024

Let’s Dance – Deep Dish: George Is On (Bandcamp)

Posted on by
Reply

by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

The second Deep Dish album gets a reissue, having been unavailable on streaming services for many years. The American duo are still a going concern, though Ali ‘Dubfire’ Shirazinia and Sharam Tayebi tend to do their work in solo capacities these days, behind the decks.

By the time George Is On was released, Deep Dish had already proved their staying power in house music, but this was just the second long player from the duo in 10 years.

What’s the music like?

It’s great to see this fine house music album from 2005 back in circulation, and listening to it confirms that this is house music that has aged well. Lead single Flashdance, a no.3 hit in the UK, was one of their very best, commercial yet clubby at the same time – and with persuasive vocals from Anousheh. It is matched here with a rare guest slot for Stevie Nicks, singing Dreams – and yes, that is the Fleetwood Mac song that she was persuaded to re-record. It is a predictably fine version, those distinctive tones an ideal match for the wistful lyrics.

Also adding weight to the songs is the smoky vocal of Richard Morel, whose three contributions are led by the excellent Sacramento, the darker Everybody’s Wearing My Head and No Stopping For Nicotine.

Does it all work?

It does – and as a considerable bonus there are a host of extended mixes to enjoy.

Is it recommended?

It is. Both Deep Dish albums have aged well, and George Is On shows just how far ahead of the game they were when it came to making satisfying long players with commercial appeal.

For fans of… Danny Tenaglia, Hernan Cattaneo, Heller & Farley, Roger Sanchez

Listen & Buy

Published post no.2,252 – Saturday 27 July 2024

Let’s Dance – Various Artists: Under One Roof (Poker Flat Recordings)

Posted on by
Reply

by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

Under One Roof marks the kick off to a new series of releases dedicated to new artists from Poker Flat. Label head Steve Bug took part as a coach in the Mixmasters Retreat on Ibiza last year, alongside producers Huxley and Denney and singer-songwriter Jade PraiZe.

The retreat harvested a great crop of tracks, most of which were signed up for the Under One Roof initiative, bolstered by a remix each from the coaches themselves.

The first instalment is a bundle of the first five EPs.

What’s the music like?

There is some strong house music here, confidently delivered – and of consistently high quality.  Jade PraiZe’s smoky vocal on Thorsten Hammer’s World On Shoulders provides the ideal start, while the rolling beats of Maxima’s Get Into It – bolstered in remix form by Denney – are quick to impress.

T. Nguyen’s Prophetic Love has strong hints of Kerri Chandler – in a good way – while Al Leahy’s Shadow Rush proves the pick of the punch, a superb bassy number that delivers a wonderful, full-bodied bass line.

The remixes are an ideal complement to the main course, putting the seal on a desirable package – especially Steve Bug’s upbeat take on Prophetic Love.

Does it all work?

Pretty much! One or two tracks on the list feel a little bit formulaic – and while she generally delivers excellent vocals, PraiZe’s slot on Fast To Slow might be too nasal for some – but that’s splitting hairs in a fine collection, up to Poker Flat’s typically high standards.

Is it recommended?

It is. A collection of house music on the deeper side that connoisseurs of the genre will warm to straight away.

For fans of… Kerri Chandler, Miguel Migs, Andy Caldwell, Larry Heard

Listen & Buy

Published post no.2,245 – Saturday 20 July 2024

Switched On – Luke Elliott: Every Somewhere (AKP Recordings)

Posted on by
Reply

by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

The theme of Every Somewhere is the relationship between humans and the natural world – a theme that has preoccupied a number of artists in recent years.

Luke Elliott, a UK-born musician and producer based in Amsterdam, used modular and analogue synthesizers to make this work, sampling and re-sampling material together with fresh ideas. Talking about the album, he says how “the crossover between artificial sound and nature became a central theme, a subject for particular consideration, whether by “leaning into the sounds of people shouting alongside bird calls and breezes” or by incorporating a friends’ recording of the sea organ of Zadar, a large-scale land art instrument which plays music via sea waves passing through its tubes.” This appears on the opening Better Start Being.

Every Somewhere is dedicated to Elliott’s late cat Agatha (below), who was by his side – and on his lap! – during much of the record’s construction.

What’s the music like?

This is ambient music, developed through rich colours. Elliott writes with a refreshing freedom, and with positive energy, his compositions unfolding with an easy and instinctive charm. The music might be mostly electronic but it does feel as though it was recorded outdoors, in the close company of the listener.

Often the light is dappled on Elliott’s compositions, with a really appealing sense of light and shade. Go With Curiosity pulses with rhythmic invention and riffs of a semi-serial quality, while Land Soft has a similar energy but in a more tonal plain. Stellar Overflow takes a wide panoramic look, a lovely restful track.

Shelter In Western Regions, a co-write with Ryan J Raffa, has a fulsome bassline, Even The Moon Is Leaving has a lush backdrop, while Presolar Friends feels more personal in spite of its similarly wide scope.

Does it all work?

Yes. Elliott writes fluently, and each track has its own pleasing structure within the whole. The wide-open sound lends itself to headphones or a surround sound system, with stimulating audio perspectives.

Is it recommended?

It is – there is plenty to enjoy here, either on a purely ambient, background level, or through more detailed listening.

For fans of… Tim Hecker, Matthewdavid, Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith

Listen & Buy

Published post no.2,240 – Monday 15 July 2024