Search - Panoptica :: Panoptica

The new generation in electronic music it is here!

02/15/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album just came out this year. One of the founding members of the Nortec Collective, Roberto A. Mendoza, has been doing some fine music in Tijuana Mexico. "Nortec" stands for the mixture of norteña music, with techno. The mixture includes house, some of drum & bass in a blend with the instruments of the north of Mexico, drums, horns with electronic arrangements. The result, in some songs the sound is more lounge and has this "relax" chilling ambience that is just great(try the first track, "kinky bisturi"). At the same time some songs are just to dance, and dance(track 4 "variaciones a tuxedomoon").
This play of chilling and dance moods have some influence of Aphex twin, and maybe Autechre, (try track 5 "tecnica mañana").
This is a most have album for the music lover who is not afraid to try something new, that is refreshing and very enjoyable.
If you liked it try Fussible, Bostich, from the Nortec Collective also. Actually the Nortec Collective have an album called the Tijuana sessions vol. I that is just amazing, Panoptica is in there also.... Buy it !!"

Caramba!

Gary Peterson | San Diego, California USA | 08/06/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Not too long ago, I purchased and reviewed an album called "The Tijuana Sessions, Vol. 3" by Nortec Collective. It was an amazing CD. Mexican techno. I listen to a lot of electronic music and this was one of the most unusual and refreshing albums I've ever heard. It turns out that one of the bands featured on the Nortec Collective disc was Panoptica. I also began noticing a Panoptica CD was appearing on my list of recommended purchases by Amazon. Finally, I bought it.



Panoptica is very much within the framework of European techno, but, at the same time, sounds radically different. Part of this difference is probably do to the reliance on traditional Mexican musical instruments for many of the sounds. Part is probably due to coming out of Tijuana, a radically different cultural environment. In any case, the music is bright, refreshing and attention grabbing. I'd characterize it as being less sophisticated, less polished and more primitive than European techno. I'd also consider it to be a bit more mellow and a bit more melodic. Don't take any of these impressions as negative statements, however. This music is excellent! The chances are, that if you like electronica, this CD is going to open your eyes and ears. You'll be in another world altogether. It's too bad music like this doesn't get wider notice. It's wonderful stuff.



I'm going to confess that I don't particularly like Mexican music. When I hear it on the radio, I change the station. When I look at this CD, everything about it says it's Mexican music. There's a Tijuana street scene on the cover with a Mexican marching band. All the titles are in Spanish. Well, if you're like I am in any way, don't confuse this music with the more traditional Mexican music. It's a startling and delightful departure, and the appearance of the CD has nothing whatsoever to do with the nature and content of the music.



All the songs on the CD are worthwhile and I'm hard pressed to pick a favorite. Perhaps I might go with "Kinky Bisturi," "Yahora" or "Tererot." The latter has the best rhythm patterns of any of the selections. If you like some really strange sounds, try "Esquirla." "Variaciones A Tuxedomoon" gives my sub-woofer a good workout and rattles cabinets all over the house. In places, "Technica Manana" sounds as if my stereo is on the brink of being torn apart. Yet, some of the other songs are soft, gentle and melodic. It's a good mix. None of the songs have any significant lyrics, so language presents no barrier to the enjoyment of the music.



This is a great and unrecognized album. I think if you like electronica/techno, you're probably going to love it. If you do, don't forget about the Nortec Collective album. To attempt to use a Spanish expression, Caramba!"

Electronica for the Masses

Ronan Rafferty | Ireland | 05/30/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For those out there looking for the electronic ambience of To Rococo Rot and others, Panoptica are a fresh vibrant summers day, sitting on rocks looking at nothing, they make "looking at paint dry" a pleasure. They are the electronic drop beats in my chilly sauce..... for more delights, check out the Nortec Collective, To Rococo Rot, the Maxwell Implosion, Fourtet and more besides, Dig that mine for music!"