Various Artists: 12k1008 Various Artists: 12k1008 (12k - 1999) Sounding as if they're hardwired into their own equipment, the Various Artists who contribute to 12k1008 further explore the digital intricacies of the burgeoning field of microscopic electronics. Conventional concepts of melody and rhythm are reconfigured through pure digital resynthesis and a host of other experimental transformations. This results in intriguingly technical listening, or glitchy scraps of computerized noise, depending on the listeners' perceptions... Beginning at zero, Richard Chartier's "untitled" neominimalism grows into a grittily drifting miasma of microtones which subdues again, hovering in an almost-subaudible hum. "Comp Zeven" by Goem takes a more forceful tact, pounding with a machine-like rhythm. Kim Cascone delivers "BufferDrift" (2:06) an impossibly mutated (if brief) sculpture of sonic molecules. Miki Yui's moody ">B IO" floats in a zone of ringing drifts which echo with a lost-in-a -cavern-of-ice feeling. Dan Abrams (a.k.a. shuttle358) and Albert Tan combine forces in an unnamed track (7:11) which fairly well bops along, albeit in a completely computerized mode. "Strictly A C" by Surge takes bleepiness to new heights as oscillations are punctuated by staccato rhythmics. A digital sizzle underscores "würm" which is powered by a mechatribal beatsystem and and an electrically keening tone provided by Komet. The thrumming bass pulsations of 12k leader Taylor Deupree receive sparkling adornments of clipped ringing tones, syncopated miniblips and occasional outbursts of static in "A100STUDY00.01.31"; interestingly, the track has a certain amount of swagger, like a rock song boiled down to its atomic components. A bass rhythm from *0 is overlain with reoccurences of an unwavering tone in "2.000". Previewing their upcoming collaborative CD, Tetsu Inoue joins Taylor Deupree in "Active/Freeze", a scattering of crystalline soundshards which sometimes reveals warmer (though severely cut up) musical interludes. "Sequence" emits a dreamily washing backdrop which is infused with mechanical/glitchy cycles from shuttle358 (of optimal.lp fame). Literally buzzing with microscopic electronics, 8.6-rated 12k1008 features an assortment of pioneering artists obviously well-versed in this newly generated field of sound. As with most forays into this convergence of music and electronoise, the pleasure will depend on the openness of the listener's mind and ears. We interviewed Taylor Deupree last July if you'd like to learn more of what 12k is about. This review posted April 29, 2000 AmbiEntrance © 2000-1997 by David J Opdyke (except CD cover art, rights retained by original owners).