Beat Movement Black Gardenia Vol. 1 Jazz-O-Tech Records | The Electro Review

Beat Movement
Black Gardenia Vol. 1
Jazz-O-Tech Records
TBR: 16th May


Opening the Black Gardenia series for Jazz-O-Tech, Beat Movement produce a quad of tracks each influenced by the roots of techno. Making sure that jazz and beats get the showcasing they deserve in this modern musical age is what the label is all about. Utilising great talent from jazz circles in collaboration with their electronic sounds, Beat Movement draw on themes and styles that project class and energy. By giving space to live performers and bringing jazz influences in through their rhythms and sounds, Beat Movement encourage innovative sound experimentation. This Berlin outfit sent the masters over to Rome for the final mix-down, and this release is limited to 300 vinyl pressings.


The first track is Silent Rain, featuring Giani Mimmo. This Italian saxophone player brings a unique vibrancy to a subtle crackle of rhythmic static. Electronic wails and mechanical squeals glisten over the surface while the pitter-patter of synthetic rain plops and sprinkles around us. Melody on the saxophone jumps and plays around in the puddly park while ambient sonic fare whistles and swirls above our heads. The build-up is slow, a gradual evolution in the pressure of the sound gives rise to an approaching torrent waiting to happen. Broken effects spill a sudden burst of attempted tone through the dark, deep bass drums resound in the gloom and a sensation of still holds off the wind. The melody continues, like passing cars on sodden roads the beams of light flash by with a Dopplering clarity.


The next track ties a thread to the last and then shifts direction to a more heavy beat. Thumping bass resonates in empty rooms while more melodious phrases soar like hillside horns. Aphex Twin Shot My Neck is an unusual track title, is it a mark of respect to this classic group? Distorted waverings of sound wallow across muddy plains of pounding bass. Clickings and taps fill the sides, wrapping the deeper kick in an echoic landscape. Distortions and subtle shifts in tonal direction make way for abstract and hypnotic wanderings.


Techno superstar Sunil Sharpe takes the reins for the third offering. Remixing Silent Rain for us, the track is brought back to life with a pounding animalistic heart. Heavy beats penetrate the original with storm like surge. Melodic rhythm and phrases of sound combine with the raining landscape to give us a fun and invigorating party. Tweaks on almost every level, the track is given a new dress sense. Hard-hitting fills of various drum sound compete with fantastic flurries of saxophone. This B-side version of the opening track sets a much more energetic tone to the record.


Finally, a siren of sound shines over the whole sky. Fast-paced rhythms join in with more saxophone. An alert feeling washes over us, manic drumming kicks in to bring a boiling sensation to the mix. More melody, jazzical and sporadic, bounces from side to side. Untitled Reconstruction features a jazz quartet called Gamapawa. The band sound of drums and wind combine with frantic electronic dance beats. The whole serving offers us a wake up call to draw us out of the initial dreamy mesmorisation.


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