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 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.
5/5
07'02 MINIMAL
UNDERGROUND Interview with Peter Ford |
