Album Reviews A long-awaited full-length from Recloose released nearly four years after his first EP, Cardiology proves -- nearly effortlessly -- it was well worth the wait. Trainspotters attempting to peg sounds and styl... more »es on these 11 tracks could well do their heads in; Cardiology lies at the intersection of several scenes bubbling up around electronic dance: moody techno; the half-programmed, half-live sound of broken beat; the computer-processed turntablism of Prefuse 73; even synth-heavy jazz from the late '70s and early '80s (later borrowed by Chicago househeads like Larry Heard). It's obvious Matt Chicoine is an inventive, even restless producer; though his sound focuses on high-energy breakbeat techno with light, jazzy keys and the occasional stuttered vocal, the former DJ Bubblicious throws quite a few change-ups. Processional borrows the old rattle-and-clatter effect from a dub version with sped-up chatting going round and round, while the next track up (Get There Tonight) rescues '80s dance from history's dustbin with echoing keyboards and an angular synth-bass. M.I.A. is a nice nu-soul track for the Ronnie Scott's crowd, and the single Can't Take It goes from distorted electro to a tight turntablist bridge and back again with no energy loss. Nothing here sounds derivative because Chicoine simply uses sounds as building blocks to create a collection of great tracks. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide« less
Album Reviews A long-awaited full-length from Recloose released nearly four years after his first EP, Cardiology proves -- nearly effortlessly -- it was well worth the wait. Trainspotters attempting to peg sounds and styles on these 11 tracks could well do their heads in; Cardiology lies at the intersection of several scenes bubbling up around electronic dance: moody techno; the half-programmed, half-live sound of broken beat; the computer-processed turntablism of Prefuse 73; even synth-heavy jazz from the late '70s and early '80s (later borrowed by Chicago househeads like Larry Heard). It's obvious Matt Chicoine is an inventive, even restless producer; though his sound focuses on high-energy breakbeat techno with light, jazzy keys and the occasional stuttered vocal, the former DJ Bubblicious throws quite a few change-ups. Processional borrows the old rattle-and-clatter effect from a dub version with sped-up chatting going round and round, while the next track up (Get There Tonight) rescues '80s dance from history's dustbin with echoing keyboards and an angular synth-bass. M.I.A. is a nice nu-soul track for the Ronnie Scott's crowd, and the single Can't Take It goes from distorted electro to a tight turntablist bridge and back again with no energy loss. Nothing here sounds derivative because Chicoine simply uses sounds as building blocks to create a collection of great tracks. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide
CD Reviews
Solid 3rd generation Detroit techno
Stavros Zanos | Thessaloniki, Greece | 09/05/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I love this album; I won't try to describe it though. Although Recloose is one of the luminaries of the 3rd generation of Detroit techno artists, this release defies categorization. If you like cross-over dance music like 4 Hero, Vikter Duplaix, Carl Craig, IG Culture etc you will like 'Cardiology'. In any case, how progressive should a techno release be to overcome academic criticism?"
Solid, but not as adventerous as it could be. 3 1/2 stars
leviticus85 | kalamazoo,MI | 06/05/2002
(3 out of 5 stars)
"so here we have recloose's debut full-length. the first thing you should be aware of is a few of the tracks are previously released. i couldn't tell you if they are different versions here. "ain't changin" is the big hit and the most odd sounding track of the bunch. skittery, almost offbeat percussion and some odd sounding 70s pimp music vocals. if you hear that track and expect the rest of the lp to sound like it, you will be extremely dissapointed. most of the album vaguely sticks to a traditional detroit template...sci-fi type synths and a smooth, slick production aesthetic. the one thing seperating him from the rest of the detroit crowd is his willingness to include break beats and some hip-hop style samples. "can't take it" even has some scratches and rapping in it. also, the feel of this music is slightly thinner and more digitized most of the time, not nearly as lush as his mentor carl craig. this doesn't feel like a compilation of random 12" tracks despite the inclusion of some previously released material. the feel is very uniform throughout, mostly due to the sound palette he used and the way the tracks are sequenced. the latter half of the album is much more downtempo, with some jazzy elements here and there, placing the record firmly in the "home listening" category. overall, nice work, though i hope recloose will experiment more in the future and leave behind some of the predictability."
Props
Eduardo M. Pallares | Northville, MI | 12/27/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Recloose (aka Matt Chicoine) has always been a musical prodigy. Actually, I have known Recloose since 8th grade. I witnessed the inevitable spawning of his new talent. I knew how serious he was when he pawned his Super Action 80 for a console. Sadly, I have not seen him live since college. However, once I listened to his albums I heard two profoundly gratifying things- (1) his link, almost spritual, to jazz, funk, and hip hip is still ever-present; (2) like my idol, John Coltrane, Recloose posesses a driving, almost haunting, predisposition to push the envelope of musical expression. Intertwined in his tightly-woven musical tapestry lies what appears to be a simple yet noble cause- progression. Indeed, he has not changed. In my opinion he is still searching for his sound. I agree with the last review that the tracks are a bit thin at times. A more complete sound is hopefully on the horizon. I understand he is categorized a "techno" DJ, but I would like to hear more of an acoustic sound, or atleast something mimmickng it. Perhaps I am simply out of the loop (it wouldn't be the first time). One thing is obvious-- although the puzzle of his sound is still incomplete, the underlying image is becoming clear. This is only even more encouraging because there is nothing more disturbing than a musician who stops searching. If he finds it, he will take giant steps. I'll be anxiously watching (listening?)."
Fresh sounding dancable group!
Carl Johnson | Detroit, MI United States | 03/07/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Recloose is Carl Craig's prodigy band. They are hot. I will break down some of the highlight tunes for you. Ain't Changin' - This should be getting a lot more radio play. It has an infectious beat without the nasty high-hat trance drumming heard too often on dance records. Recloose is a percussive, tight band with tight vocals. The songs will get cha' moving.
Kapiti Dream- A trip hop masterpiece. Recloose is a more beat oriented band, which I like as well. This piece offers us movement with reflection. Inventive synthesizers and effects, it does take your mind 'out there somewhere'. The groove is slower than some of the other cuts, but intensly fun and a good space traveling. I love this in the car on a late night drive! Cardiology- Another tight jam & vocal piece that should be getting attention, but is not. It is the final cut on the album and the beat is drawn off a osciliscope heart beat sound. It has many trip hop elements and is tight and performed well.I personally enjoy this album because it does NOT fall prey to the trance beat. It is fresh and I hope the band stays fresh! They do a great show too in the Detroit area... Awesome spin!"
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1