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Richard James (Aphex Twin) now says that he's planning an album made exclusively out of fart noises. Come to Daddy, however is James in his more accessible mood, a mood quite like that of his last album, Richard D. James. But if Richard D. James was a ingenious electronic record for kids, then this is one for their molesters. Or for those who enjoy the sound of baby R2D2's and Little Lord Faulteroys being enticed by vile liggers with frizzy breakbeats and pumping elevator cheese. James's crazy melodicism is out in full force again, somehow turning the most fey, sentimental-sounding synth-pap into sinister business. Not as essential as his last, but still more brilliant than almost anything out there now, anyway. 8/10 (Mireille Silcott) Speedy J Public Energy #1 (Plus8) In a world full of imitation and mediocrity, it's refreshing to see artists who aren't afraid to innovate, even if it means alienating their previous fans. Jochem Paap's (alias Speedy J) latest is thousands of miles away from his earlier Ginger and G-Spot albums: at first exposure, harsh, distorted textures seem to dominate, but repeated listening reveals an exquisite hidden beauty that keeps you coming back for more. By far the most important techno recording this year. 11/10 (Mateo) Mauritzio M Compilation (M) Mauritzio (née Moritz Von Oswold) is at once one of the least-known yet most influential "Detroit techno" artists. This compilation, which features nine tracks from the last six releases on his seminal M label, chronicles the continuing evolution of his sound: deep, moody and hypnotic, and dubbier with every release. Perfect music to contemplate the mysteries of the universe to on those long winter nights. 10/10 (Mateo) Adam Beyer Recoded (Planet Rhythm) Out of the Swedish techno explosion of the last year-and-a-half, Adam has (along with Cari Lekebusch) been one of the most prolific artists, with releases on probably every single label in that country, as well as his own Drumcodes imprint. This album is a collection of remixes from his Decoded LP, featuring mixes by himself, Thomas Krome, Marco Corolla, the Advent and various other European heavyweights, all of whom (except for one or two) improve on the originals. An essential addition to any hard techno lover's music collection. 9/10 (Mateo)
Two minutes after I put this on, I ran to see if the lyrics were in the CD notes. They are. Oh bliss. You've probably heard A(labama)3's first N. American single "Ain't Going to Goa," ("There ain't nothin' worse than some fool lying on some Third World beach wearing Spandex psychedelic trousers"), but that's just the beginning of this truly strange spoof-core marriage of dance music, electronics, crazy evangelists, Elvis-ism and gutter gospel. A kind of rickety church lament for the commercialization of acid house. But if A3's country twang/city sampler combo is supposed to be a rather extreme case of enlightening irony, then where does that leave all of those rootsy folk singers "who fell in love with studios/beats"? In the same jokey category? Maybe. Which may be the point here. Cool! 8/10 (Mireille Silcott)
The Best of Dance puts the KLF in with Montell Jordan. Which is just stupid. Hard to Find... is quite a bit less sacrilegious, even if they combine MC Miker "G" & Deejay Sven (er, "Holiday Rap") with M/A/R/R/S and electro-initiator Hashim. Because upon second listen, these acts actually have more in common than cloistered club-heads who lived through the '80s would have thought back in the day. Best of... 5/10; Hard to Find... 7/10 (Mireille Silcott)
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Aphex Twin Come to Daddy (Warp/Warner)
A3 Exile on Coldharbour Lane (Elemental/Geffen)
Various The Best of Dance Non-Stop Mix (A&M) & Various Hard to Find Classics-Dance 80's (A&M)