Signer: Giving It Up To Feel Effected

sig-giutfa.jpg (7k) Signer: Giving It Up To Feel Effected
(Involve/Kog Transmissions - 2000)

New Zealand's Bevan Smith has taken another musical moniker, operating here as Signer (rather than Aspen, or as 1/2 of Patio); and now he's Giving It Up To Feel Effected... 13 (or 15, actually) tracks of almost-minimal ambient electronics are effected variously, mainly by the ongoing prescence of somewhat-stripped-down house-style beatsystems. Paradoxically, aloof coolness blends with warmly inviting arrangements for something which seems both clinical and fun, with several moments of sheer e-beauty.

Simply drifting in on cyclic waves of thrumming radiance, 85% (8:25) gradually picks up layer upon layer... rhythmic pulsations, light bass and cymbals plus various mid-tempo percussive effects add up to 100% ambient/electronic excellence. Sort of a microscopic-dub-house vehicle, scooter QB and its upbeat organ flares hum along with high and low beats spattering all around. Wispy electronic ripples echo and crisscross binaurally like unspiraling DNA in beatless coidal.

Pumping bassbeats and clanging belltones are shifting between standing and sitting; gorgeously looping swirls of metallic overtones chime above persistent rhythmics. Dance-provoking percussion is wrapped in lovely shimmering electro-gauze for some cool fallover disco sounds. Straight-ahead pounding stirs the ephemeral sputters of Illudite, accented by slippery cymbal taps and ghostly echoes thereof.

All too short, my music widow (1:30) emits the essence of phantasmal reggae. Buzzily aggressive forces spar with shadow boxing's thinly droning strands. Quirky plucked-string rufflings provide an uneven surface for when we drift... not as smooth as the title might lead one to expect.

A glacial stream flows into clear frozen, but soon is beaten upon by quick microdrums and a mutedly jangling guitarsound which syncs with a crytalline synth sequence. With a dream-like slowness, hushed oscillations ooze through spermicidal as non-intrusive rhythms beat with a relaxed pulse, a beatiful ending... well, wait a bit for not one, but two(!) "hidden" tracks.

Untouchable yet accessible, Signer's beguiling sounds are often powered by repetitiously grooving drumbeats, perfect for trance-time or dance-time. Apparently I prefer the more-urban swagger found in the rhythm structures of Involve's related CDs (Jet Jaguar's Jet Jaguar and Patio's Parallel Play) beacause I'm "only" giving up an 8.7 for Giving It Up To Feel Effected... another recommended listen from NZ's finest. 8-7.gif
This review posted June 28, 2000

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