Morpheus Music
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
94
Posts :
165
Posted : May 16, 2007 14:44
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STYLE
Serious urban dub electronica. Although nowhere near the genre of the same name, Walkin' Target is primarily an album of drum and bass - heavy, blunt basses, as deep as it gets, loll along leading, dominating this series of shady arrangements, these work in tight partnership with a live drum approach that benefits from some deft, inventive programming. Melody lines are not prominent on Walkin' Target appearing as underplayed, short phrases or strongly effected motifs - more up front are a powerful array of cutting edge, digital effects that consistently enliven the upper tonal range, at times enveloping the whole fabric of the music, processing the lot, breaking it down, twisting the sound completely before dropping everything back into renewed clarity. Most of the identifying sounds of the dub reggae genre are employed - punctuating stabs of guitar or keyboard, those distinctive rhythmic devices and echoing hits, the strongly accented MC vocals proclaiming ghetto injustices and, of course, that gut pounding fat bass.
MOOD
This is a tightly structured album of inner city grit and twilight grey - that said there is plenty of heart and feeling here, an inner warmth permeating the tough exterior - some pieces bounce along in an almost amiable rolling meter and there are plenty of strong dance tracks that defy inaction. Walkin' Target also has a sincerity about it - Ashtech hasn't just adopted this style as an appealing flavour - the roots of this album appear firmly dug into a real commitment to both style and content.
ARTWORK
A tasty package coming in digipack format - everything is in appropriate shades of inner city grey. The front cover presents a darkened multi-storey car park, deserted, pooled with artificial light, busy graffiti crawling over the walls. The reverse homes in on a concrete floor - track titles overlaid in white. Opening out into three panels the inside is black - panel one holding, in white font, credits and contact details - panel two a low key chiaroscuro portrait of the artist emerging dramatically from shadow - panel three simply holds the CD on black plastic. The remaining flipside panel holds a generous paragraph of thanks, a dedication and website details.
OVERALL
Following on the heels of Interchill's Subsignals Volume 1 - this CD delivers a credibility and authenticity that isn't always present in electronic, downtempo dub. Ashtech himself began his musical career as a dj and bass player - these origins clearly shaping the foundations of his solo debut here. Ashtech acknowledges a debt to prime collaborator Gaudi who shared writing, playing, arranging and production duties. In addition Leftfield's Cheshire Cat brings some impassioned roots reggae vocal performances to the four non-instrumental tracks. Promotional material explains that Walkin' Target is "an intersection of original dub styles and urban electronica ... with an emphasis on live sound manipulations and high-end engineering". A strong album - if dub is your thing and you'd like something to hit you hard and low, this is an album well worth exploring.
WHO WILL LIKE THIS ALBUM
Walkin' Target will likely cross boundaries in my opinion - Ashtech's sinewy downtempo likely appealing to chillout lovers, dub reggae fans and anyone up for a dance - this music has such driving rhythms that it pretty much dances for you!
More reviews at http://www.morpheusmusic.co.uk
  MORPHEUS MUSIC
www.morpheusmusic.co.uk
ELECTRONIC MUSIC MALL
http://www.electronicmusicmall.com |
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