Square Root of Negative One

Amazon.com
Like DJ Spooky and Ben Neill, this New York collective considers its music to be more than just a series of sound waves. On their new album, the threesome (DJ Olive, Lloop, Once 11) expand the sonic scope of their illbient symphonies to reflect the elaborate "omnisensorial" events they regularly host around the city. By matching detailed compositions with various physical environments, the idea is that these gatherings will give the music a functional feel. Think of Square Root of Minus One as a portable gallery. As mind-boggling jungle rhythms and bass lines weave with off-planet sound effects, each track slowly develops its own distinct setting, ranging from the apocalyptic "Birimbau" to the minimalist "Ririka." But, in the end, it is up to the listener to provide these nebulous compositions with any prevailing character, which can be interpreted either as a stroke of genius or knuckle-headed oversight. --Aidin Vaziri

Tracks:

Birimbau
Diablos
Caya's Kids
Modulana
Back And Forth
Ririka
Thonk
El Mosquito
'You Gone?
Hielo
Protons
Intimines
Diablos Mix 13
Uabmirib

Amazon.com

Like DJ Spooky and Ben Neill, this New York collective considers its music to be more than just a series of sound waves. On their new album, the threesome (DJ Olive, Lloop, Once 11) expand the sonic scope of their illbient symphonies to reflect the elaborate "omnisensorial" events they regularly host around the city. By matching detailed compositions with various physical environments, the idea is that these gatherings will give the music a functional feel. Think of Square Root of Minus One as a portable gallery. As mind-boggling jungle rhythms and bass lines weave with off-planet sound effects, each track slowly develops its own distinct setting, ranging from the apocalyptic "Birimbau" to the minimalist "Ririka." But, in the end, it is up to the listener to provide these nebulous compositions with any prevailing character, which can be interpreted either as a stroke of genius or knuckle-headed oversight. --Aidin Vaziri

Customer Reviews:

Have not heard As is, but Decentertainment is much better........2001-11-29

I am rather baffled at the direction that WE took to make this album. In contrast with their earlier, slow as hell dub beats (which I think is still the illest shi* out there) they have gone rather mainstream on this one; utilizing a lot of cliched jungle rhythms; this puzzles me because the jungle tracks are not really all that, considering that WE are some of the illest cats out there and they are capable of putting out something so much better. Nevertheless, they still have their let loose some ambient/dub pieces that are real nice. I get the impression from other sources that As Is is their best work, and I have the vinyl version of Decentertainment. Decentertainment is much fresher and true to WE's style than this one - if you like ambient and dub, pick up their other releases first and save this one for last.

Not all that.......1999-12-30

I bought this CD from amazon based on the reviews I read. I was very dissapionted. This disc has a few hard-hitting serious D&B tracks(Maybe 3). The rest are all REALLY slow, ambient I guess D&B. A few are just straight up electronic jazz. I guess none of the songs aren't really that bad, its just that this album will switch gears so qiuckly its annoying. Disjionted, non-mixed, weak, and non-danceable from the constant change ups and beatless jass. Keep looking.

Hmm. Yes. Nice. But no classic........1999-11-12

First, I think it is nice that they alternate in atmospheric tracks among the heavily bassic ones. As a mainstream techno listener, d&b is a little too far out there for my liking. Give me layer upon layer with the bass rather than essentially, well, drum and bass alone, and I'd be happier. Sometimes it does sound a bit like Aphex Twin when the bass is toned down, but this is neither as accessible nor challenging as it needs to be to merit classic status and the multitude of plays that go with it. They could have thrown in some "filler" to go over the standard electronic album length of 70-min. also. Coulda but didn'ta.

Outta Control Vibes.......1999-08-25

If you want to embark on a crazy, off da hook ride buy this CD. It's a listener beginning to end. This has just become one of my top 3 CD's. The production and mixing of the CD is flawless and it comes with some on point original material, it will wig you out!. Check it out and you wont be dissapointed.

more main stream, but still nifty.......1999-06-15

WE seem to be playing with more mainstream styles and palettes. But they still have supperior skill and taste compared to the contemporary drum and bass wasteland.

sweet ambience, groovey reggae beat science and that sort of stuff. it also sounds like they have nicer gear to work with. the production is much fatter and bass heavier.

they are no longer miles ahead of the competition, but they are still ahead of the pack.

Album Review: