Discord

Artists: Geoff White & Stewart Walker
Label: Force Inc.
Cat: FIM-1-063
Release Date: Out Now
Style: Techno/Detroit/Ambient Electronica

DJ Alixir's verdict:

Walker and Geoff White are considered to be two of the leading names in the North American techno scene that have risen over the last few years and have collaborated for the first time to produce "Discord".

They have both released acclaimed albums on Force-Inc (Walker's "Stabiles" in 1999 and White's "Questions and Comments" in 2001) before that have been warmly received by the music press.

On "Discord" they seem to singularly marry their styles perfectly, almost as if they truly are one. On listening for the first time, you realise that every track has been worked into the next, seamless textures of quirky dubby tech house, blips, clicks and squeeks, minimal Detroit grooves and layered atmospheres.

Attention to detail has been put into choosing their sounds, crafted rather than taken from a synthesisers' presets and each has it's own analogue character, the kick and percussion aren't really punchy and in your face, more warm and inviting. There's a good progression in the mix ranging from cliquey choppy wandering tracks to surprisingly ambient pieces awash with stylistic strings which help to tie the tracks' crossover points.

There's so many sounds and suggestions of imagery here it would be impossible to list them in this review! Altogether a different musical journey that has you questioning yourself as to "what exactly was that noise?".

This menagerie of sound tends to sway from the typical "four on the floor" approach, a sonically good piece of production that should maybe be appreciated at home rather than sweating it in a club. If you like something that's a bit different from the techno norm then "Discord" is your man.

Track Listing:
1. Towards Another
2. Ecstatic Experience
3. Endus
4. Have Mercy
5. Merciless PT 1
6. Expando
7. Merciless PT 2
8. Panda Prelude
9. Panda
10. Cloud City Prelude
11. Cloud City
12. Cumulus Bloom
13. Simulife