MCTHFG 'Korean Dub Vol II' Review

Artist: MCTHFG

Title: Korean Dub Volume II

Label: Dubmission Records

Released: 6^th December

In the second instalment of this series places the spotlight on some of the female artists, who are part of Seouls growing underground scene of alternative dj’s and producers.

The first to make an appearance is Itta of Pan-Asian psychedelic drone duo Tennger. In this instance it’s a re-working of ‘Only’a vocal and fx recording (originally released on cassette) re-entitled ‘Deeply alone with everyone dub’. Christopher takes a subtle approach with bleeps and overly familiar loops, that slowly build behind the ethereal vocals to somewhat of a percussive crescendo.

Next up is TheSojuQueen described as a producer, singer and visual artist. Here he re-works a version of ‘Pond’, Re-entitled ‘Empty Pond (your true reflection dub)’. Apparently the original combined a ukelule riff with haunting vocals and from what I can gather he puts the brakes on. To be honest if I hadn’t been informed of the ukelule, then I would have assumed the strings were of an oriental instrument. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but there is something about this tune that draws me in.

The final track is by Yetsuby a producer whose work ranges from ambient to groovy electronic and experimental weirdness. Here Christopher takes her ambient piece ‘The Dolphin Song’, re-entitled ‘Dolphin Song (from the depths of lazers dub)’ and weaves her vocal through echo fx whilst applying a deeper bass for a slow chugging dub alternative.

Links

https://dubmission.bandcamp.com/

https://soundcloud.com/mcthfg

mctfhg 'Space E.P.' Review

Artist: 

mctfhg

Title: 

Space E.P.

Label: 

Dubmission Records

Released: 

14^th February

This fresh release is a collaboration between mctfhg and Winconstan based artist Carlos Schmitt (www.carlosschmitt.com) where if you're so inclined you can actually buy a certified acrylic of his piece 'Time Travel with a Space Centipede' upon which this releases artwork is based.

Moving back to the music the tracks here are more in line with the traditional 7" and 12” singles time frame than the elongated 18 minute journeys of his previous release 'Materials'. As the title suggests the space theme still remains however, this is a more melodic journey overall beginning with the laid back 'Deep Groove' which is perfect hammock material, easing into 'Grand Scheme' that sounds somewhat like a game of Galaxian layered over an 80's digital dub with a contrasting yet fitting mellow piano breakdown. The rest of the E.P. maintains the mood of the first track throughout climaxing with the looped sequences of the ambient dub'esque 'Tangential Spaces'.

To summarise this release is simply a collection of pleasant laid back dubs that would do the trick on a lazy sunny afternoon and at a mere £3 for 6 tracks a bargain to boot.

Review by Woodzee

Links

https://mcthfg.bandcamp.com/

Animat 'Staring Into Space' Review

Artist: 

Animat

Title:

Staring Into Space

Label:

Mareld

Released:

May 2015

Staring into Space is a new collection of tracks from their last two releases. The E.P. 'Zero Blue ' and the album 'Music For An Unstable Planet' came out on the Mareld label in 2014 and included tracks and themes from the Sheffield based duo's acclaimed soundtracks to John Carpenter's 'Dark Star' and Sylvian Comet's 'Belleville Rendezvous'.

The album commences with the Robin Hexstatic mix of 'Horsehead' where atmospheric dreamy synth sounds fuse with deep bass notes and a driving beat. It's a lovely combo and sets the album off in good stead. This is followed by the darker plodding intro and self explanatory vocals of Pioneer Species take of 'Hum Humans Hum' which leans towards 70's space themed discoid funk in places but has a very dub reggae feel overall.

Keenya's atmospheric ambient take of 'Dream Dot TV' has the right mood and pace of a stereotypical space movie. It might not get you dancing but it certainly conjures up the feeling of floating in space. Mechanist's mix of 'Recovery Time' moves up a gear and returns somewhat nearer to Hexstatic's style of fusing dreamy synths with a more driving beat. Although this piece dips more into ambient beat-less breakdowns, when the beats present there's plenty of tribal rim-shots and snares.

Input Junkies manipulation mix of 'Target Practice' is a choppy take that places focus on the drums. It's almost like a drum & bass piece that's never allowed to take off and personally I didn't dig it at all. James Murry restores the calm with a classical feel to his version of 'Elgans Alba' with plenty of cello string and a touch of piano.

MCTHFG brings his blend of 80's sci-fi and dub reggae to 'Outsider Inside' resulting in a mash-up akin to traditional sea-side organ music meets the Mad Professor. While E.R.S. delivers a slo-mo dubbed out funk full of distorted vocal samples, sparse drum rolls and fx with his version of 'Bone Dry'. Midnight JJ completes the release with a dreamy progressive dub of 'Horsehead'.

There's certainly some lovely atmospherics and sounds within this album and I liked a lot of the tracks in their own right. However, I found listening through the album continuously it's a bit too dis-jointed in terms of pace and style. However, that said in this day and age you may not play an album from start to finish and the tracks could well fit into different sets depending on your mood.

Reviewed by Woodzee.

Links

http://www.animat.co.uk/

http://www.substream.se/?label=mareld

https://pro.beatport.com/release/staring-into-space/1524423

http://www.junodownload.com/products/animat-staring-into-space/2785481-02/

MCTHFG 'Materials: Part One' Review

Artist: MCTHFG

Title: Materials: Part One

Label: Dubmission Records

Released: 2^nd February 2015

This is MCTHFG a.k.a. Seoul based Christopher Wing's first single released on Dubmission records with another to follow next in March. I have no idea what his sobriquet relates to (apparently a closely guarded secret). However, Christopher does reveal that his music is inspired by 80's sci-fi movies and dub, which is a perfect platform in my humble opinion.

The single contains an 18 minute long version of 'Oscillation Overthruster' which is then sliced into 3 sections (in order to make the single more readily available over certain platforms). So for the purposes of this review I'll cover the smaller sections.

Part One begins with sequential tones layered over an atmosphere, which I can relate to the science fiction films previously mentioned. Although there's a subtle use of reverberation it takes a couple of minutes for the dub to surface prominently. Although, deep bass notes and percussion are utilised it's balanced with gentle keys and fx providing an ambient dub feel to the piece.

Part Two starts with a different approach, with what I'd describe as vacuum in space atmosphere and then, almost immediately kicks into a melodic acidic dub. However, this is short lived as the track soon transcends into a gentler production more akin to Part One.

Part Three although retaining a laid back feel, drops heavier beats with plenty of oscillations (as the title suggests) alongside string and piano interludes. Although, I can relate to the suggested Sci-fi influence and the drum sounds have an 80's sound I still find myself making comparisons to the ambient dub of the early 90's.

To summarise this release the production is obviously aimed as a retro chill out piece for those who prefer the dub approach. It's probably better to listen to the track as a whole enjoying the journey rather than in the parts alongside other tracks.

Review by Woodzee.

Links: https://mcthfg.bandcamp.com/