Electronic Alchemy: Creating Gold with Phase 5
By Dominic Blaazer, NZ Musician, Vol 9, No 3 December 2000/January 2001
Phase 5 - is that a new music funding initiative then I hear you ask? Well no, actually it's a new grooviness initiative. Phase 5 is the nom de technologie of two people, Stinky Jim and Angus 'Mo Delay' McNaughton whose debut album, 'Space Bar', is now on the shelves following 1999's vinyl-only 'Space Bar EP' (both on Jim's Round Trip Mars label and distributed through Flavour).
The pair were in Unitone HiFi (along with Joost Langveld) back in the mad-for-it '90s, featuring on the cover of NZM in '97. Jim and Angus began work together again soon after, first calling themselves Soundproof. According to Jim this album was developing even then.
"Some of the tunes were written directly after the Unitone implosion over three years ago. A couple were written or, in the case of Mothman, re-munted earlier this year but all of our material is continually re-assessed and improved anyway until we're completely satisfied. The four tracks that appeared on the 'Space Bar EP' have been dealt to since then as well. We'll sort out another 12" with the four remaining CD-only tracks next year-ish."
This predilection for re-invention pushed them into the public eye when, for the 'Higher ++' EP, HDU asked them to remix Lull - a track I imagine everyone wanted to get their hands on. But Phase 5 are being heard much further afield than Dunedin.
"It sounds a bit blow-arse if you carry on about who's been playing your music but the 12" certainly got around and we got a lot of direct feedback. We've had radio play from Kid Loco in France, Coldcut on Radio One in England, Manasseh also in the UK, ABC in Australia, shows in the States, odd spots in Europe, Thievery Corporation geezers ringing up at insane times in the morning - all over the shop really."
As well as their creativity together in Phase 5, both Jim and Angus have respected reputations in their own fields. Ex-Headless Chook Angus has produced many New Zealand hits and Jim is - well, he's Stinky Jim, the DJ's DJ, the Selector's Selector, though I know he'd be lightning-fast in pointing out "it's just playing bloody records, mate".
Now I could go on about the 'Space Bar' album from a theoretical position of detachment but as I played on three of the eight tracks, I'm uniquely placed to relate a very special working view of Phase 5 from the inside. And how does that look? Tongs please, nurse.
When Jim or Angus rang last year, from the now defunct Incu-bator Studio, they'd either want me for a TVC soundtrack (fun, pays the bills) or for some Phase 5 naughtiness. Mostly I'd bring my Hammond L122 organ with a Leslie but sometimes an elderly Yamaha electric piano/dubsichord, a Moog or the old faithful Precision. I had very little idea what was going to be asked of me, they had no idea what I was going to play for them, and nobody had much idea how the end result would sound. It's a process that I love and having recorded music only in the 'traditional' ways for many years what happens next blows my retro mind.
During the session, Jim and Angus play me some rhythms, either rough or finished, and I am asked to provide a selection of introductions, lead lines, basslines, vamps, funky grooves, spacey sounds or whatever their leetle hearts desire. Maybe I'd end up on the floor playing the Hammond's bass pedals with my hands, or rocking it from side-to-side for spring reverb 'boings' as on Bag Juice. All in a day's work for Phase 5.
Then I'd get progress reports from Jim: "Tracks are sounding good Dom, but they're not quite ready yet," he'd say. "Good-oh," I'd nod, "call me when you find Angus again."
When the 'Space Bar EP' was finished, my concept of music making was pretty re-adjusted. There were three fully-fledged pieces of great music, Box Juice, Bag Juice and Verb Vendor featuring my sounds with their arrangements. I'd been sampled, chopped up, delayed and well and truly treated. Trad' old Dad was baffled, but glowing with pride like a healthy tissue donor.
Phase 5 are far from dependant on their contributors but two other long-time Friends of Band also feature: Burnt Friedman aka Nonplace is one, on Mothman Skunk, which wanders into some beautiful Balinese gamelan sounds. Secondly, 'Sweet Baby Dave' Goodison (Garageland guitarist/Hitlist bassist) who features on the student radio hit Easy Gargamel. Jim affirms there's an inevitable duality in collaborating.
"Undoubtedly, the worst thing is when you link up with supposedly hot musos who turn out to be one trick ponies. Purveyors of over-notely noodlings can apply elsewhere! The best thing is the musical options we can conjure up when we combine with other people's skills and creativity. It also allows us to have the richness of well-recorded instruments alongside the ludicrousness that technology can offer."
The analogue additions are recorded onto Pro Tools 24 where they await attention via Angus' toys. The Pioneer home hifi spring reverb and Drawmer valve compressor are favourites, as are the Akai S1100 sampler and Roland JV-1080 sound module.
As well as various people playing things, you are listening to a whole lot more besides with Phase 5. Box Juice is a mixture of a bossa nova rhythm with a Jamaican dancehall bassline. (A neat feature peculiar to dancehall is the use and abuse of a few basslines for an entire season by many producers.) When Jim's working, he's known mainly for reggae, roots and dub, but his and Angus' music collections mirror that of any other sadly habitual rummager and hoarder. For example, who remembers that bastion of NZBC light entertainment, Oswald Cheesman, his singers and orchestra? How about 'Percussive Moods' by Johnny Keating's Kombo? Those runt releases also share the shelves with a mass of ancient and modern diversity, all fair game to Jim and Angus when looking for their sounds.
And their sound? Unlike many so-called electronic/instrumental/cut and paste derived albums, 'Space Bar' doesn't stick to one feel throughout; a reason why I think this album, and incidentally, SJD's album '3' works so well. Some tracks are designed for modern dancing, some to suit the wee small hours with special friends and some constructed purely to draw in the listener so they may try and decipher what's going on.
It's hip, modern music made from available elements. If you must file it then 'Modern Lounge' seems apt. Remembering that lounge music was always concerned with new takes on the old, with foreign sounds, and with providing a relaxing ambience. It only became retro in our hands.
After finally completing 'Space Bar' the lads turned their attention to its supporting project, the 'Sideways' compilation. Also newly released this features 12 artists including Sola Rosa, Pain's People, SJD, International Observer, Submariner and Phelps & Munro's amazing closer Horse Winning Without Rider.
"The Phase 5 album was finished for a while before we released it because we decided it would be advantageous to unleash it alongside the 'Sideways' compilation as a double-barrelled statement of intent from Round Trip Mars Records," says Jim.
The statement has been heard thanks to the 'Space Bar EP' leading also to requests for tracks on other compilations.
"We've had quite a few from outside of this country but the only one we're seriously considering is to sling a couple of tunes to Statra, the NYC label who just put out Denver McCarthy's (Micronism) excellent new album."
With increasing numbers of electronic musicians succeeding on the live circuit, to what degree does Jim see Phase 5 following suit?
"We are 360 degrees viable as a live event, which is why we try to keep it to a few times a year so it can remain an event rather than just another gig. We don't do shows unless we have some fresh angles to offer or it's a particularly musically stimulating mix-up like playing alongside HDU or SJD."
Phase 5 Gear
SE10 Custom made silly noise creator box
Lineartech foolish sound unit
Technics 1200 turntable
Cosmic Charger Raygun
SS PC-2 Perconcussion Synthesiser
Boss DM-300 delay machine
Crusty tape deck
Kool Shades electronic kiddie keyboard
Spirit Folio 12.2 desk
Various DJ mixers
Soundtracs PC MIDI series desk
SCI Prophet 600
Roland SH1
Realistic mono synth
No comments:
Post a Comment