Shape Worship – Observances

Artist: Shape Worship
Title Of Album: Observances
Year Of Release: jan 2013
Label: Exotic Pylon Records / EP16
Genre: Experimental, Ambient, Beats, Electronic
Quality: MP3
Bitrate: 320 kbps
Total Time: 00:33:53
Total Size: 81 mb

Tracklist:
A1. Mzungu
A2. Concentration
A3. Seaglass
B1. Air White Smoke Signal
B2. Quilt
B3. Lavender

Another strong offering from Exotic Pylon, this time from Ed Gillett, an artist interested in "the creative use of repetition, open collaboration, the enjoyment of mistakes and sub-bass." Rhythmically referencing 2-step and the early 90s breakbeat techno of The Black Dog, and exploring dreamy electronic textures within this framework that look outward into the realms of pure psychedelia. On ‘Concentration’ what sounds like an old El-B/Ghost riddim slugged out and married to the kind of dreamy ambience you’d expect to find on a John Beltran record, while ‘Air White Smoke Signal’ is a terrifically effective meshing of dubbed-out post-punk minimalism and twinkling techno FX, and stand-out offering ‘Mzungu’ sounds like an old Balil or B12 record re-tooled for dubstep-savvy soundboys. In the end though, what makes this album good isn’t the breadth or specificity of the reference points, but the elegance and intelligence with which they’re handled – Gillett balances grit and goo impressively throughout. Fans of R&S, Apollo, 2009/10-era Hotflush and Frijsfo Beats will want to be checking this – a debut of adventurous promise.