Precise techno with live insturmentation to add jazzy warmth
Nowhereman | Boston, MA USA | 08/26/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This disc represents an interesting contrast of styles. On one hand, the electronic aspects of the music, especially the rhtyhm patterns are very technical, complex, and surgically precise. But at the same time, live bass, occasional horns and strings, and *huge* (live?) drum breaks really add some warmth and feel to the music. It feels far more organic and human than traditional IDM or breakbeat, with definite jazz influences throughout the album. The disc also offers very different variations on a central sound. "Smile" could almost be a Swayzak tune, but then on "Cursory Rub" the organ sounds give the sound a bit of soul to a technical drum line, while "Houston" has a full on horn section to compliment some jazzy live drumming, and "Doomsday" veers quite near house territory. Other songs like "Matamanda" wear their jazz influences a bit more heavily upon their sleeve. (The Quicktime video for 'The Beamer' on the disc is also good fun, and a neat little extra)"
SPACED OUT ON SPACER!!!
Darrell L. Lee | Jackson, MS | 11/14/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Truly underrated in the field of electronica, Spacer is an extraordinary producer/muscian who creates a landscape of musical patterns that Amon Tobin, Boards of Canada and Matthrew Herbert would be proud of--without the excess noises sometimes associated with the aformentioned's music. The man takes the listener into a dark, adventurous trip-hop journey that escalates with each song. From beginning to end "Beamer" mixes styles of ambient, funk, electronica, dub, acid jazz, trance and everything in between. "Beamer" with its excellent production quality, obviously got swept under the rug--then, that's usually what happens to the really outstanding artists!!"
Completely addictive...
nicjaytee | London | 07/12/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Clever, cool and unique, categorising this quite brilliant album is almost unfair but if you're into creative downbeat electronica/dance or electro/jazz you've just stumbled on a hidden gem. Layering swathes of tight, controlled electro-riffs, instrumental flourishes & vocals on top of insidious club back-beats it pulls off the quite amazing trick of being incredibly complex, seriously funky and totally laid-back all at the same time... and, as a result, it'll grab you're attention from the very first play and then just keep pulling you back for more. File under "completely addictive"."
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1