BABY FORD - Fordtrax/Bford 9

Peter Ford is without a doubt one of the most important figures of the UK underground acid/techno scene. For the last fifteen years, his records have been innovative, challenging and all equally excellent. His ultimate classic Ford Trax, released in 1988 on legendary label Rhythm King and the poppier Ooo… The World Of Baby Ford have paved the way for hundreds of musicians in the early days of acid house, but it is with the hard hitting BFORD9 that he started exploring more minimalist soundscapes. If the enormous RU486 and Fetish indicated a harsher, more aggressive sound, the essence of Ford’s current sound can be traced to the more discreet Move-On, original and alternative versions, Blow Back and Fetish (9AX). By the time he released his fourth album, Ford had many side projects under his belt, amongst which Minimal Man is one of the better known, and had set up three labels - Ifach with Mark Broom with whom he had started recording some more alternative material, Trelik with long time collaborator Ian "Eon" Loveday, and the more artist orientated Pal SL. Headphoneasy Rider reflected Baby Ford’s more minimal influences with a string of stripped down tracks displaying undeniably techno influences.
With Sacred Machine, released on German label Klang, Ford returns to the same dark minimalist atmospheres. Very much like on Headphoneasy Rider, straightforward beat patterns and repetitive bass lines form the core of the structures, but here however, he reintroduces some more human elements. The hardened rhythms are equally as hypnotic, with Carpet, On The Floor and Bad Friday, reminiscent of some of early LFO releases, leading the way, but the compositions are far less rigid and arid. Ford’s music is more complex and intense than meets the ear as he inserts little details in the background. Some elements of what made Chikki Chikki Ahh Ahh or Oochy Koochy remarkable tracks can still be traced in Late Check Out or Bad Friday, while the introvert Word For Word has a taste of Wigan or Change (Konrad Cadet Mix 1), but the music presented on Sacred Machine is more subtle and intriguing. Highlights also include the charismatic Sugarspoon and Ambo, two of the strongest tracks Ford has written for years.
Almost fifteen years after first emerging, Baby Ford remains at the top of his art, and this album proves that his creativity is intact. Together with his Ifach Collective, he presents with Sacred Machine a very intelligent and consistent record.