‘The Portable Supersound’ is the
latest compilation CD from one of Norway’s hottest labels,
Smalltown Supersound. You might remember our high scoring reviews
of Arp’s ‘In Light’ and Kim Hiorthøy’s
‘My Last Day’ earlier on in the year, well, the quality
of these artists are representative of Smalltown’s roster.
The 12 tracks on this compilation therefore presents an eclectic
look into some of Norway’s finest acts and listeners are
treated to a wide range of experimental (yet melodious) soundscapes
ranging from acid-folk to shimmering electronica and electro-rock
to space-disco. The tracks on this release include pre-released
album tracks, forthcoming tracks and rarities.
The compilation opens with Arp who contributes
an Seventies inspired analogue slab of kosmiche minimalism which
drifts past slowly with a tangible air of enchanted mysticism.
120 Days’ ‘Come Out, Come Down, Fade Out, Be Gone’
is a stomping 7minute serving of eclectic and progressive disco-rock
which sounds like something the late 60’s psychedelic rockers
would have come up with if they had a Mac Pro and Logic. Dig further
and you will stumble upon a rare Sunburned Hand of The Man track
entitled ‘Half-Under’ which was made in collaboration
with Four Tet and sounds like a majestic and hypnotic, all-enveloping
resonance of tribal free-folk on major acid.
Elsewhere, expect to find a dazzling array of
spaced-out, future disco music. Mental Overdrive contribute a
constantly shifting and ultra-hypnotic slice of stomping analogue
disco which meanders through an electro netherworld whilst Lindstøm
ups the stakes with a mesmerizing piece of spaced-out, perpetual,
Nordic tech-house which will have you bobbing your head into oblivion.
diskJokke is a new signing that might be familiar to people thanks
to his extensive remix repertoire which includes remixes for Bloc
Party and Lindstøm. With his track ‘The Dinner That
Never Happened’ he provides an intimate yet euphoric slice
of atmospheric and melodic tech-house which whet’s the appetite
for his forthcoming debut release ‘Staying In’. Towards
the end of the CD, one will find Kim Hiorthoy’s ‘Goodbye
to Song’ which is a keen slice of vintage Jazz put through
an electro blender. Four Tet appears on the closing track with
a remix of Lars Horntveth’s ‘Tics’ which contains
spurts of haphazard micro-instrumental clusters over an expanding
backdrop of shuffling percussion and deep bass. The end result
is a dreamy, subtle yet energetic piece of pure Four Tet magic.
This is one fine compilation CD that consistently
delivers with every track. Smalltown Supersound is evidently a
label that knows good, innovative music and this CD comes highly
recommended, especially considering its modest price. Be warned
however that this compilation (like all good compilations) will
end up costing you a lot more as you will undoubtedly start to
furiously collect the whole Supersound discography on the basis
of the tracks included on ‘The Portable Supersound’!
(AM)
For
fans of: Scandinavian Experitronica at its most vivid and imaginative
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