2% – “Nowcast” (Archaic Horizon)
Lush Ambient, Crunchy Beats | Hot off the heels of mo.'s Para-review last week, I got to let you know about the latest Archaic Horizon releases: "Nowcast" by Trenton McElhinney, more commonly known as 2%. I've been listening to both records in a row and found them doing fairly well in these days of late Summer haze.
2% - "Leeward" (MP3)
2% - "Glory" (MP3)
Californian Trenton McElhinney is a tech-savvy kid. For his second EP "Nowcast" he is using Max/ MSP, the Monome controller and his acoustic guitar. While the pattern-based programmings of the Monome do not easily allow for crazy breakbeat frenzy, it suits the 2% music perfectly well: monochrome, rich textures and crunchy Hip Hop beats.
"Stop", you might want to object, "All music at Archaic Horizon sounds like this!" - fairly true, but somehow 2% does better than most. Microloops dream in concentric stagger, textures intensively fill the room with warm noise and canny harmonies. A certain feel for what is necessary is manifest in McElhinney's music. Here is another connection to Para I guess: minimalism as compository guideline.
Young McElhinney is a man of taste and virtuosity. His art- and photoworks supply a fine complement to his music and are worth a minute of your attention, e.g., whilst listening to the "Nowcast" EP. Archaic Horizon sums it all up: "2% loops samples into vaporous drones creating a milky haze for his melodies to refract within then drops beats that land you back on solid ground." Wooord!
MP3 Ambient Music Download
Download: "Nowcast" (ZIP-Archive)
Artist-Website: myspace.com/2pourcent
Release: 2% - "Nowcast"
Netlabel: archaichorizon.com
About the Author
This article was written on 31.August 2009 by Bettina Rhymes.
Bettina Rhymes is the journalist alter ego of Sven Swift. Swift runs the established CDr- and Netlabel 12rec.net and acts as a Netaudio DJ every now and then. Next to his job at Phlow Mag, he writes reviews about free music at RUBored.org. Read more articles written by Bettina Rhymes.
(10 votes, average: 4.20 out of 5)
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2 comments
SUPER!!! If i have money,i'll buy-it.
1. Sep 2009 at 6:15 pm
Link #1
Heard 2% since the beginning, and the music sure has matured and evolved into something great (not saying it wasn't good before) Great job Trent
15. Oct 2009 at 3:36 am
Link #2