Kirk Degiorgio has traced a singular musical odyssey
since the early nineties. Parallel to an almost mandatory
interest in the more obscure corners of Detroit techno,
he’s explored a love of seventies soul and jazz
personified by the likes of Herbie Hancock, Doug Carn
and Carlos Garnett. These twin fascinations are exemplified
in both his own work and in two compilations which have
seen Sun Ra programmed alongside Moodymann, and Herbie
Hancock alongside Jimpster. 2001 also saw Offworld's
Two Worlds in which Degiorgio acted as cut
and paste producer to Azimuth, Jamie Odell and others.
The result was a fascinatingly futuristic techno/groove,
live/programmed hybrid.
Out Of The Darkness is Degiorgio’s seventh
release under the As One moniker and it is the first
since 2001’s 21st Century Soul. It’s
also his most varied and accessible album by a country
mile. To a large extent the overt experimentation of
1997’s Planetary Folklore has been eschewed
in favour of uplifting vibes and vocal setpieces. Gone
is the clattering, edgy spikiness of Libran Legacy
and The Path Of Most Resistance, only to be
replaced by the vocals of hip-hopper MC Lacks, soulster
Paul Randolph and the gospel-tinged tones of Jinadu.
Alternating with these tracks are a couple of pretty,
beatless reflections (particularly a cover of Herbie
Hancock’s Love Theme From The Spook Who Sat
By The Door) and most notably some mighty rhythm
monsters in the forms of Hope, Shapechange
and Leviathan.
For those fans of the more challenging side of Degiorgio’s
music prompted to contemplate disappointment by these
descriptions of Out Of The Darkness, it should
be said that there’s still plenty of experimentation
to be discovered beneath its sophisticated surfaces.
In particular the driving broken beat rhythms and seventies
analogue textures are a real pleasure. Using these elements
as keys to unlock the doors of this release pays multiple
dividends. Out Of The Darkness sits very comfortably
at the nexus of techno, hip-hop, soul and electronica
and will hopefully appeal to fans of all such persuasions.
Colin Buttimer
4/5 |
