PRICE:
$20.00
LOW STOCK LEVEL
ARTIST
TITLE
Sixty-Four
FORMAT
2LP

LABEL
CATALOG #
MINUS 064LP MINUS 064LP
GENRE
RELEASE DATE
12/9/2008

This is the third full-length release by Ontario-based Marc Houle, only released on vinyl. Sixty-Four represents an exciting phase in Marc Houle's production cycle with most of the year having been spent testing ideas for his album. As a result, these seven tracks were only ever meant to represent "works in progress", functioning primarily as DJ tools for Magda, Troy Pierce and Richie Hawtin . However, exactly because of their "inbetween" nature, their inherent quirkiness and route one approach, the crowds have really taken to them and other DJs have been desperate to get their hands on them. The resulting carefully selected tracks contain such a wealth of unique and twisted sounds as Houle attacks each idea with verve and tenacity, constantly varying the unconventional line up of machines at his disposal. In fact, there's a vast collection of equipment on display here -- early analogue synths, sequencers and drum machines, '80s digital synths, modern Buchla synths, samplers, vocals, acoustic drums, electronic trigger pads, bass guitar -- even a VST! The result is a plethora of sound, encapsulating different styles and multi-colored dimensions as each track revolves around a musical motif that's subsequently stretched, contorted and wrenched in every direction possible. Just check out the heavily treated raw bleeps and blips that usher in the huge, filtered bass loop on "Sands," the lush analogue landscape on the fantastically titled "Meatier Shower," and the tasty electro-funk groove of "Ketchup and Beans." It all works perfectly as Houle never loses sight of the basic orthodoxes needed to make a techno track kick.