Since 'Plastik' it's fair to say that Simon Baker's profile has been somewhat raised, and why not? Although that particular track has had its day, it's only because of its ubiquity that I am, at least, fed up with it. Having too much of a good thing is no cause for complaint though and since 'Plastik' Simon has shown that he's definitely no one-trick pony. Now the Infant Records boss gets his senior partners at 20/20 Vision to release his latest effort, which is, compared with 'Plastik' or 'Confused', a dive into deeper waters.
Having said that 'Gutterlevel' is a more intense track than 'Plastik', whose strength lay in understatement rather than being in your face. Starting off with a nice elastic kick and gradually bringing warmth and urgency into the mix, 'Gutterlevel' is a good example of Wild Pitch going slightly wonky, but simultaneously losing some of its
edge. It's a competent piece of work, and if you like this sort of thing (as I do), it behaves exactly as you'd expect. The tension gradually builds and becomes more techy, descending into a breakdown of sorts heralded by a theremin-on-speed synth line, which, along with the bicycle bells that follow, is the most musically interesting part of the tune.
'Bandit' sounds like Motorcitysoul and that can't be a bad thing; after listening to this for the first time it immediately reminded me of 'Kazan.' It sounds a bit flimsy initially, but gets added body once the bass comes in with just over four minutes remaining. I prefer it to 'Gutterlevel' purely on the basis that its more dramatic and evocative, and whereas 'Gutterlevel' threatens to take you up another level but ultimately doesn't, there's no such expectation here. It's a good piece of disco intensity that jogs along nicely and sparkles in all the right places.
Good as this double package is, it's still quite a conservative piece of work. It takes no chances but this isn't necessarily a bad thing. It's funky and will definitely do damage.
Having said that 'Gutterlevel' is a more intense track than 'Plastik', whose strength lay in understatement rather than being in your face. Starting off with a nice elastic kick and gradually bringing warmth and urgency into the mix, 'Gutterlevel' is a good example of Wild Pitch going slightly wonky, but simultaneously losing some of its
edge. It's a competent piece of work, and if you like this sort of thing (as I do), it behaves exactly as you'd expect. The tension gradually builds and becomes more techy, descending into a breakdown of sorts heralded by a theremin-on-speed synth line, which, along with the bicycle bells that follow, is the most musically interesting part of the tune.
'Bandit' sounds like Motorcitysoul and that can't be a bad thing; after listening to this for the first time it immediately reminded me of 'Kazan.' It sounds a bit flimsy initially, but gets added body once the bass comes in with just over four minutes remaining. I prefer it to 'Gutterlevel' purely on the basis that its more dramatic and evocative, and whereas 'Gutterlevel' threatens to take you up another level but ultimately doesn't, there's no such expectation here. It's a good piece of disco intensity that jogs along nicely and sparkles in all the right places.
Good as this double package is, it's still quite a conservative piece of work. It takes no chances but this isn't necessarily a bad thing. It's funky and will definitely do damage.
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Published /
Mon / 8 Oct 2007 -
Words /
Paul Corey -
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Tracklist /
A Gutterlevel
B Bandit
