Frank Bretschneider

Rhythm

Genre: ELECTRONIC

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Boomkat Product Review:

Despite having been involved with all the highbrow minimal labels you can think of (Raster Noton, 12k and Mille Plateaux among others), Frank Bretschneider's pioneering use of pristine bass tones and clipped snares has as much in common with the careful machinations of Minimal techno and Bass music as it does with the undulating explorations of installation-based sound design.

Of all the founding members of the Raster mothership Bretschneider has possessed the most populist agenda and some would argue that because of this his music is amongst the label's most influential. Incredibly, "Rhythm" is Bretschneider's first album since 2002's "Balance" collaboration with Taylor Deupree for Mille Plataeux and represents his most developed, full-bodied set of tracks to date.

Over 9 pieces he undertakes a study of percussive patterns which reduces machine funk to a skeletal mass of bass and pulse, creating a kind of archetypal rhythmic table of elements. The careful machinations of "We Can Remember It For You Wholesale", for example, manages to create a funk reduction that's quite breathtaking with its sheer bass weight and pristine construction.

Elsewhere you'll find the pulsing Ø-esque 'Construction Shack' and the almost Monolake-sounding 'All Summer in a Day', with each track here creating its own sound signature with an economy of resources.

Fans of Sahko, SND and Alva Noto through to the Minimal techno of Sleeparchive, Marcell Dettmann etc would do well to investigate this album immediately, as do those of you interested in the vast sonic possibilities offered by stripped down bass elements given enough space to dominate their surroundings.

MP3 Release (9)