Jamie Read, Never The Future EP

[Elektrosouls Recordings]


Buy Vinyl

After digging into the origin of the Joe Louis’ Back To The Beginning release for last year’s BBH review, I realized Jaime Read hadn’t fallen off the face of the earth after a few solid releases in the ’90s and a trickle of collaborative material with Felix Dickinson as L.H.A.S. Inc. (short for Larry Heard Appreciation Society). Contrary to my speculations, he hadn’t given up producing after a few frustrating encounters with the shadier side of the music business so much as fallen into the obligations of domesticity and let music take the backseat. So it came as quite an exciting discovery to learn he was working on new material to be released on UK label Elektrosouls Recordings.

Never The Future EP finds Read picking up on the diversity of sound that his solo work afforded him. “Messages From Outerspace” is a prime example of this, as Read constructs a deep electronic track that refuses to be defined by stylistic boundaries. Its rhythm utilizes several trademark electro drum sounds while keeping the pattern dynamic and allowing it to augment the rubbery bass line. But it’s the sparkling synth melodies that stand out the most, imparting daydream warmth to the proceedings. Read shifts paths on “Name No Names” as he layers a bluesy sounding synth line over analog bass pulses and flailing snares. On “Digital Acid” Read offers his take on acid house, using a mixture of booming bass kicks, staccato snare slaps and both a chunky 303 bass and buzzing acid trails offset by a deep synth melody breakdown. A little too clean on the production and not quite wigged out enough to compete with Mathematics’ acidic offerings, but solid nonetheless. It’s hard to tell whether “No Relief” is a dig at the Chicago label, but does show an impassioned effort from Read in the style most befitting that aforementioned Joe Louis release. Organ stabs and shuffling hi-hats form the basis for a stellar deep house excursion highlighted by a gorgeous breakdown of multi-layered synth riffs, strings and a jutting bass line. Maybe the most significant part about the Never The Future EP is that you don’t have to second-guess its true ownership. With his name marked on the record sleeve it’s clear Jamie Read is ready for a new beginning.

Blaktony  on April 21, 2010 at 12:56 PM

Funky as hell & low down; Great cruisin’ tune 4 the ride as well as a club. Damn! Gotta give away another “ghetto go-through pass” (LOL). Respect & good work.

struggle  on April 22, 2010 at 11:52 AM

Thanks for the heads up on this one Kuri. Nice!

waht dos my name mean?  on April 27, 2010 at 6:37 PM

yo what is yo fb site

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