Kevin Drumm. Click here to view flickr.

Upset The Rhythm
Tuesday 29th January 2008
Bardens Boudoir, Stoke Newington Road, London

The smell of lemon-scented cologne and cooked meats of Stoke Newington High Road instantly threw me back to the streets of Istanbul where I had been a few weeks earlier. From the wedding planners to the furniture stores, everything a startup Turkish family needs is all here. Located below one such emporium is Bardens Boudoir: home to the youth of Dalston and tonight home to another one of Upset The Rhythm's excellent showcases.

Cheapmachines sounded interesting, but the clatter of drinks and background chat put paid to any intensity he may have been trying to put across and Beach Fuzz I missed altogether. Prurient is always good value for money and mildly entertaining. His singular angry young man dressed in black antics are pure theatre. I still remain unconvinced by the records though.

Kevin Drumm's reputation was sealed the moment he unleashed 'Sheer Hellish Miasma' way back in 2002. This recording has attained almost legendary status, its popularity confirmed by the recent re-issue. Sadly his brief (20 minute) live emission failed to measure up. In his defence the appalling sonics at Bardens and the fact that he might have had technical problems resulted in a deeply unsatisfying end to tonight's aggression.

Tayo: Style & Trend (Soul Jazz) - 12"

A nice way to re-align with Soho after the Post-Xmas hibernation. Broadwick Street's Soul Jazz Records kick off 2008 with an effervescent release from Tayo. His previous original works didn't really seem to engage and his mixes always felt all over the place. But this is punchy, bass-weight digital dancehall workouts of the highest calibre. The vocal edges ahead in terms of likeability but the orchestra of bleeps redolent on the 'riddim' excude a certain charm. Style!

Clark: Throttle Promoter (Warp) - 12"

Nicely judged introductory 12" to the (excellent) 'Turning Dragon' long player. Clark's knack for tight melodies and crunchy rhythms are further refined resulting in some exemplary techno pop. Shades of Detroit optimism on opener 'See See' whilst 'Dirty Pixie' reminds me of labelmate LFO with its trashcan beats and bass-heavy pulses. The version of 'Gaskarth/CYRK Dedication' is far superior here than on the album. Reminiscent of Chain Reaction-era Monolake: hypnotically propulsive drum pattern and echo-chamber drone.

Nookie / Manix - The Sound Of Music / Hardcore Junglism (Remix) (Reinforced) - 12"

Dusted down and fighting-fit re-issues from Dollis Hill's Reinforced Records designed to appeal to the saddo retro raver in everyone over 30. Nookie is all nice and bouncy whilst Manix (aka 4Hero's Marc Clair) strains strings and tears amen's with a nugget of refined darkcore. There's voodoo and science at play here.

Chris Watson: Pacificus Oceanus (Touch) - 7"

Was only reminded I had this to review when I saw Chris pop up in Bill Oddie's weirdly entertaining 'Bill Oddie's Wild Side' on BBC2. Oceanic currents around the Galapagos Islands is the digitally sourced material on offer. As with all of Chris' previous works, it's the crisp clarity of the recording that really makes an impression, even from the thin 7" pressing. And as with all of Chris' previous works, it's required listening.

Freezie Freekie: Data Sink (Satamile) - 12"

Remiscent of electro tinged emissions from Detroit, I can hear elements of Model 500 deep inside this fantastic 2-tracker. First track does it clunk style, whilst the flip takes us out on a sea of bleeps. If you see it languishing in the electro section, pick it up....it deserves a home.