Menu:
LINKS
In most genres of music there is a high percentage of dross mixed in with the gems; in techno this ratio could be as high as 99:1, with the masses seemingly happy to settle for tuneless thumping. Sadly, it seems to be an arena in which attitudes, fashion and equipment are more important than musical talent. EASTER ISLANDERS as such operates within a vacuum totally divorced from any scene; however, there are a number of pioneering giants who have been and remain inspirational:
Aphex Twin - When Richard James appeared in the early 90s it was immediately apparent that he was a cut above the rest. Not only because he enjoyed driving a Sherman tank down to the pub now and again, but for his sublime ability to mix abrasive electronics with classical melody and counterpoint.
Amon Tobin - 1997's 'Bricolage' album launched Tobin's astonishing blend of jazz, samba and cut 'n' paste beats. The master of atmosphere, it's often hard to believe that his complex rhythm tracks are computer-generated and not a real jazz maestro on the percussion seat.
Kraftwerk - Rightly hailed as the pioneers of modern electronica, Germany's Kraftwerk translated European classical minimalist traditions into the emerging technology of the 60s and 70s. Stark, metronomic and almost inhuman, but not above gentle irony, the robotniks' hatrick of 'Transeuropa Express', 'The Man Machine' and 'Computer World' are required listening.
Jean Michel Jarre - Son of a famous film soundtrack composer, Jarre's classic opening moves of 'Oxygene' and 'Equinoxe' are lush, melodic and refreshing.
Brian Eno - began as a glam rock keyboard player in Roxy Music, but soon branched out in any number of avant garde directions. Always challenging and ever-changing, Eno pioneered sampling with David Byrne in 1980's 'My Life in the Bush of Ghosts', and single-handedly invented the 'ambient' subgenre of electronica with his startling keyboard washes and found-sound collages.
Philip Glass - known most widely as a minimalist classical composer, Glass is not afraid of technology and has used sequencers for his repetitious but mesmerising works. He also collaborated with Aphex Twin in an orchestral version of one of the latter's pieces.
Who
says you have to be
cool
to do techno?