Don Solaris [Deluxe Edition] [PA]

Performer: 808 State
Artist: M. Doughty; Louise Rhodes; James Dean Bradfield; Ragga
Engineer: Al Fish; Danny Kadar; Aidan Love; Phil Jones
Producer: Darren Partington (Reissue); Graham Massey (Reissue); Andy Barker (Reissue)
Distributor: E1 Distribution (USA)

Notes: 808 State: Darren Partington, Graham Massey, Andy Barker. Personnel: M. Doughty (vocals). Audio Mixers: 808 State; Al Stone. Easily the most diverse and experimental album in 808 State's eclectic catalog, DON SOLARIS seemed to fall on deaf ears at the time of its release. A pity, because repeated listenings reveal that here the band digs further into its electronic arsenal to come up with a multi-hued and varied album. "Bond," for instance, opens with angelic synth bells and trills, then morphs into a traditionally 808 State-style thumping bassline, featuring the kind of vocals first brought to prominence on the previous GORGEOUS. "Azura" is a simply beautiful piece, with whispery, floating electronics eventually giving way to a calvacade of pumping drum-and-bass rhythms and diva vocals. "Kohoutek" distills the dense arrangements that are at the center of this inventive recording. Here, strange environmental sounds clash with clattering steel pans, house-y piano rhythms, and gelatinous bass grooves, as 808 State merges exotica with contemporary electronic dance music.

Named after the legendary Roland drum machine, Manchester's 808 State had a profound influence on English dance music in the 1990s. On its early singles, the group coaxed furious beats out of electronic instruments and helped create a whole new vocabulary that was later incorporated into techno, jungle, and drum-and-bass. However, by the early 21st century, group members were concentrating more on remixing and producing.

Click Here for Shipping Options and Policies

Shipping or Dimension weight in pounds: 0.5