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Alex Smoke - Paradolia
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Troll@CrackWhoreModels
IsraTrance Analyst Member
Started Topics :
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Posted : Apr 4, 2006 00:41
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artist: alex smoke
title: paradolia
format: cd album
soma cat no: soma cd47
release date: 20.03.06
tracklisting:
01. paradolia intro
02. persona
03. a moment to myself
04. never want to see you again
05. meany
06. make my day
07. prima materia
08. snider
09. we like it insipid
10. anima
11. formax
12. something's gone
13. left drift
http://www.somarecords.com/music/soma_cd47/
Paradolia is defined as the human ability to creatively perceive coherent images in randomness. This is an unusual word by anyone’s standard but then Alex Menzies (aka Mr Smoke) is an artist very far from the usual. A Rorschach test this is not, more a sonic experiment that explores the parameters of Alex Smoke’s potent psyche.
Alex remarks on its significance “I guess the album is the pattern and the tracks the randomness as I didn't have a plan to tie everything together. I also think it describes really well the appeal of music that at first sounds random but makes sense as a whole.”
It is almost twelve months since Soma unleashed ‘Incommunicado’, Smoke’s masterful debut. Lauded by critics upon its release in March 2005 it portrayed his instinctive maturity in constructing emotional, deep grooves
with intricate production techniques. ‘Incommunicado’ enveloped a myriad of influences including dub, electro, grime and minimal techno. One of the album highlights, ‘Don’t See The Point’ demonstrated his desire to incorporate his own vocals in innovative ways, while voicing his frustrations at the current political climate. This pivotal release augmented the fact that his music was not confined to the dancefloor and could not be pigeonholed by genre.
With ‘Paradolia’ he has taken this blueprint and pushed the boundaries for a composition that is swollen with ingenuity and experimentation. The development of his unique sound is clear to hear, crafting a beguiling symmetry of melancholy and melody. The result is a listening experience that is more cohesive and inspirational than his debut outing.
As he reflects, “I guess I'm happier with my production now. The other big difference is that Incommunicado covered 4 years, whereas this album is entirely within a year so it probably hangs together better.”
Like its predecessor, Alex has once again interpreted styles of music that make an impact on him. With ‘Paradolia’ he has gone a step further, welding disparate genres into mindbending opuses. The most ambitious track on the album is ‘Prima Materia’. Here he unites his two early influences of classical music (he is classically trained in the cello and piano) and early house to detonate a symphonic explosion that sounds like nothing else around.
He includes his own vocals on ‘Never Want To See You Again’, ‘Make My Day’ and ‘Anima’, each of which utilises bamboozling production techniques to devastating effect.
With an intrinsic understanding of how to rock the dancefloor, he has created the magnificent ‘Meany’, the first track to be released as a single (twelve inch version comes with a Matt John remix). This live-set staple is a twisted technoid cut of stuttering disorder that will erupt in the club. Another album seducer is the majestic ‘Snider’, a shimmering techno groove that nods to the minimal sound and his love of classic Detroit. Album opener ‘Persona’ is prime example of the deep and pulsing Alex Smoke sound that we know and love.
The personal nature of his music is evident throughout, on tracks like the reflective ‘A Moment To Myself’, the emotional ‘Something’s Gone’ and the fragile beauty of ‘Left Drift’ his wistful sound resonates. With the
razor-edge beats of ‘We Like It Insipid’ he draws attention to his dislike of certain aspects of the world around us. “The title refers to the lowest common denominator tastes of the world as a whole, from Macdonalds to the Daily Mail to every other fucking flacid appendage of modern society.” His social conscience remains intact.
2005 has been the year which has witnessed this young producer’s rapid ascent through the ranks of the techno elite. Since the release of ‘Incommunicado’ he has been booked to play the clubs and festivals of the
UK, Europe and beyond. Alex reflects, “It’s all been slightly surreal, because everything has happened so fast, but it's obviously been brilliant. The main thing that I've found hard to get used to is not seeing so much of my friends at the weekends so next year I'm taking more time off.”
His coveted releases on Berlin label Vakant have cemented his club credentials and found their way into boxes and laptops of innovative dj’s everywhere. Not content with a slew of killer twelves, Alex Smoke remixes have constantly been in demand, recently renovating Mylo, Alex Under and Vector Lovers. 2006 is already shaping up to be another monumental one for Alex Smoke with the release of ‘Paradolia’ and subsequent UK and European live tour.
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Katja
Started Topics :
4
Posts :
103
Posted : May 31, 2006 17:50
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Very beautifull album indeed... Can't stop playing it for a month already:) |
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evgeny@aero-groove
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
166
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1205
Posted : May 31, 2006 22:43
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Troll@CrackWhoreModels
IsraTrance Analyst Member
Started Topics :
558
Posts :
2135
Posted : Jun 1, 2006 20:29
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ye sthe booka shade album is okay but id expected something more ...the first album they did is way better imo;) |
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Alex Boshke
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
59
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613
Posted : Jun 21, 2006 15:41
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absolutely agree with Troll about BookaShade!
And as for Alex Smoke- good minimal techno album translated form German t English!:)
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Pasha
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
21
Posts :
260
Posted : Jun 22, 2006 14:20
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I like this release a lot!
It has some great emotional tracks. Anima is a masterpiece in my opinon.
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Dot Kite
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
35
Posts :
431
Posted : Jun 23, 2006 02:11
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Very interesting release!
Dear Troll@CrackWhoreModels I would like to thank you for reminding us that there is some very interesting music out there! I would define you as the "king" of the Electronic section of this forum.
Take Care
Tms |
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Troll@CrackWhoreModels
IsraTrance Analyst Member
Started Topics :
558
Posts :
2135
Posted : Jun 23, 2006 15:30
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Dot Kite
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
35
Posts :
431
Posted : Jun 23, 2006 20:45
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Quote:
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On 2006-06-23 15:30, Troll@CrackWhoreModels wrote:
and nice to see that there is alot of people inhere who also enjoy this kind of music 
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Although I have been in this scene since the beginning, now I most listen to other styles than "psy" "prog" (or however u want to label it). Somebody might wonder "then what the heck are you doing in Isratrance forum"?
I have no idea...eheeh! Probably to learn something new like some some suggestions of Troll@CrackWhoreModels (and from other people obviously)
Have fun
Tms |
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spudgun
Started Topics :
6
Posts :
53
Posted : Jun 26, 2006 15:10
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love alex smoke's stuff! in particular, his vakant releases, which it looks like he's now going under a different name for.
got this from the vakant website:
www.vakant.net
va010 quixote - pap and fickle ep - out july 17.
Vakant returns with a new chapter of scuzzy techno from Alex Smoke under his new Quixote guise.
Alex Smoke has had a phenomenal year so far with the release of his ´Paradolia´ album on Soma. For his vakant productions he has opted to record under the Quixote pseudynom as his output for the two labels has naturally developed in different directions. For vakant he has always explored the darker aspects of his sound and the Quixote productions will represent this.
His debut Quixote release sees Alex delve even deeper into thick minimal territory. The EP begins with ´Adoquin´, this is a stripped and evolving groove that harnesses the power of his production to devastating effect. This is a penetrating throb that pulses directly to the heart of the dancefloor.
Next is live set favourite ´Pelters´, this is a highly infectious, off-kilter cut of mutant melodies and wonky rhythms. ´Fank Funk´ concludes the EP with its drilling percussion and spannered bassline freak-out. |
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