This CD and the recent "Konoshita" 12" (which has 2 songs not on this disc) are the debut releases Fridge have on Go Beat, a UK Polydor subsidiary label very much in the public eye through their highly publicized signing of Fridge and through the recent Arab Strap live LP "Mad For Sadness", which has gotten very positive attention by everyone who has heard it. Fridge have out many singles and 12"s on lots of labels, and 2 CD's as well ("Ceefax" and a double disc collection of their singles). Kieran Hebden, their enigmatic frontman (bass & sampler) also has several releases out as Four Tet. With all that recent output, you may expect this full length to either be 'generic' or to play it safe, as their cred is already firmly established. The 8 songs on the disc do niether. This record is a real joy to listen to throughout. Fridge initially found their muse in the post-rock sounds of Chicago, where Tortoise hatched the sound that captured the world a few years ago. Fridge have taken Tortoise's idea of instrumental organic music melded with electronics and run with it to make a sound that I like way better than Tortoise. In fact, I'm sorry I mentioned them in this message. I don't even like Tortoise, and if you don't you may dismiss this CD without hearing it, and that would be a shame.

A double CD remix album with a twist. Peter Thomas is a 73 year old German composer who became famous after his Space Patrol Orion TV soundtrack music in the mid 60's(which we have on a CD put out by Bungalow) . He became acknowledged as a musical pioneer and creative eccentric. His work is ranks with that of Henry Mancini, Esquivel, John Barry, and Ennio Moricone. As Peter Thomas recorded his classic stuff in the 66-77 period, it was difficult to provide remixers with multi-track original recordings for them to work from. Bungalow searched through his archives and came out with 29 bits and pieces (which comprise disc 2) which were given to 17 different modern artists to remix (disc 1). The incredible cast includes Dauerfisch, Stereolab, Mina, Saint Etienne, Yoshinori Sunahara, Brezel Goring (of Stereo Total), Momus, Schneider TM, and several others.

Their second full length, following one on Che Records a few years ago. Almost every song has vocals throughout, as opposed to their mostly instrumental singles. Piano Magic are basically Glen Johnson and Martin Cooper, though Caroline Potter sings on 4 songs and Jen Adam sings on 'The Fun Of The Century' (which we have as a 12" on Piao!). Lots of guest appearances too: Simon Rivers of The Bitter Springs sings on 2 songs (Crown Estate, & Dark Secrets Look for Light), Raechel Leigh of Baby Birkin sings on 'Bad Patient', Antony Ryan and Robin saville (isan) play on 'Bad Patient' as well, and Peter Astor & David Shepard (The Wisdom Of Harry, Ellis Island Sound, State River Widening) play on 'Waking Up', which is a Disco Inferno cover. Despite the flow of different players, the album has complete consistency and is really quite good. It has an 'earth spirit' feel of wicca to it. I like a lot of songs on this disc, but enjoy 'Snowfall Soon' (which sounds like it should be titled 'touch sensitive') best. Very good record, particularly if you like Black Box Recorder.

From San Diego, CA. 6 pieces of abstract electronica and harsh beats, on red vinyl. The 10" says "pressed at 45rpm. Play at any speed". I've played it several times at both speeds. Some of the songs do sound perfect at 33, while others become very languid. Kid 606 also has a 7" on the Gun Court Series 7" label. We have the Atom & His Package 7" on that label. Six Finger Satellite also have a 7" on that label. I first heard of Kid 606 from the article he wrote in the great Sound Collector , where he wrote the aticle on Matmos.