Mike & Rich

Expert Knob Twiddlers - Planet Mu Edition

Image of Mike & Rich - Expert Knob Twiddlers - Planet Mu EditionImage of Mike & Rich - Expert Knob Twiddlers - Planet Mu Edition
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Record Label
Planet Mu

About this item

A collaboration between Aphex Twin (Richard D. James) and µ–Ziq (Mike Paradinas), Mike & Rich - ’Expert Knob Twiddlers’ was made back in 1994. Richard edited the tracks into shape later in 1996 with his new Apple Mac computer and it was released later that year on Rephlex, the label he co-owned and which released the first two albums by µ-Ziq. This new reissued version has been carefully cleaned up, re-edited and remastered from the original DAT tapes, put into a more fitting order and, more excitingly, seven new bonus tracks and alternative versions have also been added. The album was recorded over a few days during the 1994 World Cup, back when Richard lived in a big shared flat in Stoke Newington. Richard had tried to collaborate with a few other likeminded artists but something clicked when Mike and Rich worked together and the sessions have a unique feel; playful and at times actually drunk. These are fun experiments in the spirit of lighthearted moog pop and ripe 70s British TV themes, standing out from the po-faced electronica of the time with a garish glee. The record was made on what is now seen as pretty primitive gear - an Atari, Roland MKS-80, Memorymoog, Roland R8 and a handful of samples on a Casio FZ-10M - but it’s to their credit that it resonates well with the hardware workouts coming out today. There's a broadminded but sloppy funk to the record, even whistling, singing and harpsichord in 'Reg' and wonky beat pile-ons in 'Jelly Fish'. There's latin piano and wheezy drunken techno in ‘Vodka’, or the sleepy spaced out ambience of ‘Bu Bu Bu Ba' with its barely contained laughter which seems to reflect the absurdity. The new versions and bonus tracks are an absolute delight - from a trancier version of ‘Vodka' to the wonky bounce of ‘Portamento Gosh', The 3/4 dub of 'Waltz,' the banging door bass of' Brivert and Muonds', the creepy seasick atmosphere of 'Clissold Bathroom' and finishing with the strangely graceful and serious 'Organ Plodder'. A generous and welcome return to the racks. 

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: What can we expect from two stone-cold stalwarts of the electronic music scene? Excellence, that's what. Analogue funk to the high heavens, acidic breaks and groovy sample mayhem. There really is something for everyone here, and it couldn't be any more of a perfect match between Paradinas' footwork/jazz/twee stylings and Mr. Twin's gritty machine worship. There are some proper tunes on here, and a lot of them. A historic catalogue, and a collaboration made to delight.

TRACK LISTING

3LP
A:
01/Mr. Frosty
02/Reg
B: 01/Jelly Fish
02/Eggy Toast
03/Vodka
C:
01/Winner Takes All
02/Giant Deflating Football
03/Upright Kangaroo
D:
01/The Sound Of The Beady Eyes
02/Bu Bu Bu Ba
E:
01/Vodka (Mix 2)
02/Portamento Gosh
03/Waltz
F:
01/Brivert & Muonds
02/Clissold Bathroom
03/Jelly Fish (Mix 2)
04/Organ Plodder

2XCD DISC 1:
01/ Mr. Frosty
02/ Reg
03/ Jelly Fish
04/ Eggy Toast
05/ Vodka
06/ Winner Takes All
07/ Upright Kangaroo
08/ Giant Deflating Football
09/ The Sound Of The Beady Eyes
10/ Bu Bu Bu Ba
DISC 2:
01/ Vodka (Mix 2)
02/ Portamento Gosh
03/ Waltz
04/ Brivert & Muonds
05/ Clissold Bathroom
06/ Jelly Fish (Mix 2)
07/ Organ Plodder

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