[M 80] Click Box Vs Run Stop Restore - Helen In The Keller
As a production team, Run Stop Restore has been a pragmatic group with Marc Houle, Troy Pierce and Magda pursuing their own hectic schedules of production and performance. Recently, the three members have taken the opportunity to meet in the same studio to combine their unique ideas. Their Items and Things imprint - a label set up as an output for new projects, collaborations and ideas with a distinctly left of centre attitude is primarily run by wireless communication. After a pair of compilation EPs, the first act to receive a dedicated release was Click Box - the brainchild of Marco Silva and Pedro Turra whose tough, retro sound, non-conformist arrangements and skilful sound design fitted perfectly to the I&T ethos. The relationship has obviously grown at speed, culminating in this two track Minus release recorded during a five day session in Sao Paulo, Brazil. With all five artists jamming together on a host of analog synths and a low slung bass guitar contribution from Marc Houle.
The collaboration produces two cylindrical grooves that work like a thermos flask -signifying the presence of heat without radiating it. There’s a smouldering intensity contained by a cool outer casing that give the tracks a very particular attitude, with certain key instruments being recorded and used unsequenced, without edits or quantization that raise the curtain on side A. Any track entitled Helen in the Keller needs to be approached with a certain amount of caution and the glassy shards of warping live bass guitar together with Troy’s raw claustrophobic vocal musings create a dark tone as the lunatic fringe takes over. The track is essentially split into two halves, with the second introducing a low, oscillating Juno-60 style bass riff that merges with the hi-hat driven rhythm section to enhance the tracks danceability. From there on, all the elements gel perfectly creating a track that manages to harness the energy of a live performance with some instruments being recorded in one shot.
Short and sweet, Magic Juice strikes a bee line for the heart of the dancefloor with its interchanging drum sequences accompanying swarms of analogue spot effects and assorted trickery before the warbling synth motif hooks up with courtesy vocals from Magda and Marco to give the tune it’s close up, sultry feel. Meanwhile the lazy groove flows with an infectious swagger thanks to more classy beat programming and some raw acidic twangs on the electric guitar.
As collaborations go – it fits like a glove. Anyone who’s been following the trajectories of those involved should have no trouble spotting their individual contributions and how they compliment each other so effectively on these futuristic interpretations of bygone genres.
http://www.wordandsound.de/article/61379
i love B side
...that bass guitar............pfff
