The way that Andrea Parker showcases the catalogue of her superlative Touchin’ Bass label might be methodical – this third volume ropes together numbers 21-31 – but the sounds don’t conform to any known boundaries. The music here goes way beyond the electro tag slapped on the label’s pulsating rectum and has done for years, except now there’s an extra depth and continuing experimental quality which thrust the music more into the realms of modern classical or avant garde, particularly the excursions by Andrea’s and long-time studio partner David Morley. Huge whale-scrotum bass and mutated electro beats still underpin many of these space symphonies and it all tends to go off when the boys come round, label stalwarts like Clatterbox, Nomadic, Scarletron, ADJ and the terrifying Ed Devane stamping their own ever-foraging, often deranged, personalities into their machines, which either lie back and enjoy it or howl in outrage at the 50-foot bass bin carnage being lodged up their rectums. The cavernous, beautiful, provocative music here takes no prisoners and hit can hit the soul on all levels, remaining punk in attitude but stratospheric in sonic altitude. A major progression again, which is what electro was supposed to be about in the first place.
5 Out Of 5
Reviewed By: Kris Needs
