Apart from his work in Throbbing Gristle, Chris & Cosey, and related projects, Chris Carter has occasionally released solo material, ranging from melodic synth explorations to pulsating ambient techno. Miscellany collects much of his solo work dating from before, during, and after Throbbing Gristle's initial existence. The biggest revelation for fans is the set's final disc, which consists of previously unheard archival material recorded between 1973 and 1977. The tracks are generally short and a bit tentative-sounding, but ...
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Apart from his work in Throbbing Gristle, Chris & Cosey, and related projects, Chris Carter has occasionally released solo material, ranging from melodic synth explorations to pulsating ambient techno. Miscellany collects much of his solo work dating from before, during, and after Throbbing Gristle's initial existence. The biggest revelation for fans is the set's final disc, which consists of previously unheard archival material recorded between 1973 and 1977. The tracks are generally short and a bit tentative-sounding, but many of them are much closer in spirit to the space-age textures and curious melodies of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop than the abrasive experiments of early TG. Early pieces like "Nodes" and "Hegel Vogt" are filled with bubbling, melting space melodies and creepy synth vibrations, and the softly skittering drum machines of "Runclodler" prove that Carter was making proto-techno even before TG's formation. 1977's "Ghost Trains" additionally straps a rocket-powered beat onto the type of cosmic arpeggios Tangerine Dream and Klaus Schulze had become known for by that time. Miscellany excludes Carter's first solo release, the 1980 Industrial Records cassette The Space Between (which featured an extended version of 20 Jazz Funk Greats' ebullient instrumental "Walkabout"). However, it does include the first proper reissue of 1985's excellent Mondo Beat, an incredibly playful album of mainly instrumental synth pop similar to his work as part of Chris & Cosey. "Moonlight" features sparkling melodies, New Order-esque guitars, and splashes of vocoder, while tracks like "Real Life" and "Mondo B" are filled with Art of Noise-like choppy samples and orchestral stabs. While most of the album is fun and upbeat, "Beyond Temptation" is an eight-minute epic of harsh, sometimes-backwards guitars, sinister voices, and whip-cracking beats. The other two albums included in the set, Disobedient and Small Moon, were both first released toward the end of the '90s. Disobedient, recorded during live gigs in 1995, is a lengthy, immersive set of ambient techno, filled with gaseous synth textures which nearly dissolve the ticking, shifting beats. While interesting, it often feels like variations on the same themes. It sounds like much more effort was put into Small Moon, a fascinating effort which combines traces of dub, trance, drum'n'bass, and electro, and features some of the most advanced sound design of any of Carter's recordings. Both albums are amended with "Redux" tracks, which update the ideas of the releases into subdued techno tracks. Nowhere near as trivial as its title suggests, Miscellany is a magnificent set of overlooked recordings by a visionary artist. ~ Paul Simpson, Rovi
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Seller's Description:
Carter. Poor. Used-Acceptable, DISC ONLY, Withdrawn library disc(s). Includes a case. Artwork and liner notes not included. Disc(s) should play great, without any playback issues. Disc may include library markings, like writing, sticker, and protective label covers.
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Seller's Description:
Very Good. This item is in very good condition with all original artwork and materials. Case and/or artwork may show visible wear. The discs may have light superficial marks that do not affect play.
