Thought for the Day
It’s too late for this year, but John Tejada and Arian Leviste deserve huge amounts of love for the summery feeling of their new record, 'Live 07'. Apparently, it's a taster for their first live tour at the end of the year, hence the imaginative name. I know that Tejada was unfairly stigmatised by the bump'n'grind of 'Sweat on the Walls', but he remains one of my favourite techno producers, with a huge back catalogue that has rarely disappointed over the past ten years. Sure, he became trendy/in vogue due to the minimal explosion (part 2), but he was quietly and prolifically releasing intricate, futuristic techno music on his Palette label long before the hype machine went into overdrive and will transcend the wave of hiccuping, FX-heavy tracks. He has been responsible for hundreds of records under his own name - including some decent drum'n'bass - and even makes alt rock as I Am Not A Gun. Anyway, back to 'Live 07' (which is out on his label): its lead track, 'Lost In Thought', delivers the killer blow: based on a warm, surging bassline, shimmering keys and spiralling melodies, it's a combination that lifts my mood and banishes the blues. It's the happiest thing Tejada has ever done, and should be a huge track, but he hasn't deserted his stark, metallic rhythms just yet, because on the flip, the plunging bass and old school percussive hiss of ‘Forbidden Planet' recalls the plaintive feeling of his debut album, 'Little Green Lights and Four Inch Faders'. Ten years is a long time in techno, but I'm glad that he didn't take that job in BMW after all (see the April 06 archive)!
His I am not a gun project really is super stuff. He can cross genres with deff defying skills and acute rhythmic torture.
Posted by: Billy | October 19, 2007 at 01:51 AM
sweat on the walls? anthem.
Posted by: tiddlerz | October 19, 2007 at 09:31 AM
i dont really like tejada. he has no style, he tries to be a "jack of all trades" and as per the old adage, he ends up as master of none. the only records i actually bought by him are his best tune ever, by far, "time bomb" on 7th city (which just got reissued for those who slept on it first time around) as well as his tunes with titonton who has more than enough personality in his tunes for both of them!
Posted by: tom/pipecock | October 19, 2007 at 11:56 AM
I think that his 2006 "Cleaning Sounds Is A Filthy Business" LP was excellent. I agree that he's put out some lame stuff lately, just like you said due to the 'minimal explosion'. However, he still remains a name to watch.
Posted by: Sotek | October 19, 2007 at 10:39 PM
Thought that "Cleaning Sounds" album was dull as fuck. I only own one Tejada "Chorgs" which is pretty sweet, and which Kerri Chandler completely ripped off in Bar-a-thyme but got away without anyone seemingly noticing...
Posted by: Kenny | October 19, 2007 at 11:21 PM
I also find him a bit devoid of personality, I like one or two tunes but a lot of the stuff is really compressed or something.
That "Chorgs" tune is great though.
Posted by: Ronan | October 21, 2007 at 01:07 PM
I'll be seeing John play on New Years day '08 as part of this tour.
Should be interesting...
Posted by: beat | October 22, 2007 at 09:18 AM
@ tiddlerz: sweat is an anthem, but it painted jt into a corner
@ pipecock: i think jt has a very distinctive sound, and he's been doing it for years
@ keeny/sotek: I love 'cleaning sounds', it's not a dance floor work, but it has some really beautiful melodies and a sense of understatement that i find very appealing
@ beat: lucky you!
Posted by: Brophy | October 26, 2007 at 05:03 AM