imo best album i heard yet!
very deep, with nice electronic sounds... very sensitive
Release Notes:
Welcome to the wonderful world of Alex Smoke, the young producer from Glasgow.
This is Alex Smoke’s eagerly awaited debut and what a masterpiece it is. Already
a name to watch in the underground electronic circuit he is on the cusp of
getting the recognition he deserves.
The album is very personal to Alex and he has also designed all the artwork, the
title ‘Incommunicado’ is relevant to him on a number of levels.
As he says “It's a combination of influences really; the notion that somehow,
even with all the advances in the world and the pace of technology, we're
becoming worse at communicating with each other, more selfish and less in touch
with the world as a whole. The other reason is more personal, and just relates
to me being quite distant sometimes, and wanting to live on a hill in a shed or
something!” This theme ripples throughout the album – and there is a real edge
of introspection and emotion, shimmering machine music with a soul.
Spine-tingling strings are evident all the way through ‘Incommunicado’ and
tracks like album opener ‘6am’, ‘OK’ and ‘Passing Through’ are both stunning and
poignant. He also makes several vocal contributions that are a world apart from
his chorist background, ‘Don’t See The Point’ is deep and glitchy minimal techno
with a pertinent social commentary.
Alex says, “It’s a song about my frustrations at the current political climate.
The wrong that's perpetrated in our names and often with our blessing is almost
beyond belief.”
He uses also uses his warped vocals to great effect on ‘No Consequence’ and the
wonky ‘Ditto’.
‘Chica Wappa’ was his astonishing debut in 2004 and was widely regarded as one
of the tracks of the year, here Alex has tweaked it for an exclusive album
‘Mejor Edit’.
He informs us that “Chica Wappa’ is undoubtedly the most optimistic track I'll
ever write...my music will never be this upbeat again!”
Another album standout is the menacing ‘Brian’s Lung’, an ingenious slice of
jackin’ neo-rave, hoover techno - 2005 wild style, while his intriguing
experimental side is perfectly displayed on tracks like ‘Recess’, ‘Coda & Clang’
and the demented sonic dub of ‘Jah Future’.
With ‘Incommunicado’ Alex Smoke has defined his own unique sound, which
respectfully nods to DSP pioneers like Matthew Dear, Villalobos, Luciano and
Lawrence, who he regards as very influential. This is an accomplished debut from
a talent who is going to shine in 2005.
alex smoke - Incommunicado (album)
alex smoke - Incommunicado (album)
dark und minimal
