Behind his look of maths teacher, Douglas Benford is
a rather prolific musician. Better known for his Si-Cut.Db
project, the man has released no less than eight solo
albums and a handful of EPs in the last twelve years,
as well as many more albums and EPs with Doug Martin,
Ben Edwards (Benge),
Sarah Doonican or Sarah Cracknell (St Etienne), under
different monikers, amongst which Tennis
is one of the best known. On top of this, Benford regularly
performs across Europe, taking part in diverse cultural
events, always expanding the realm of his work whenever
possible.
Enthusiast, released through visionary French
label Bip-Hop, presents yet another evolution of the
Si-Cut.db sound. After exploring sound territories are
varied as jazz, drum’n’bass or electronica, Benford
follows on the work started with Benge on the most recent
Tennis album. Hailed as being the bridge between 'micro
rhythms and carpentry' by the press release, due to
sounds being sourced mainly from wood processing and
wooden surfaces and textures, Enthusiast presents
a series of minimalist dub-inspired tracks, taking their
roots in and German minimalism. If the first half of
the album remains tightly sealed, with ambiences evoking
the likes of Pole and
sounds meticulously applied, the second half offers
more colourful settings and brighter compositions. Melodies
are more straightforward and structures more defined.
The progressive Fluence or the almost tribal
Local Colour bring more accessible elements
in the soundscape, creating an altogether very different
impression on the listener. Of the original sound sources,
there is very little left. The digitalisation process
allows Benford to transcends natural limitations and
introduce some interesting concepts. Enthusiast
is therefore more than a step forward for Benford, but
well and truly the opening of a complete new side of
his musical career.
With this new album, Douglas Benford joins the cream
of the German minimalist scene, as he pushes the boundaries
of the genre by allowing more melodic formations to
take shape. More than a bridge between 'micro rhythms
and carpentry', Enthusiast is putting the foundations
of a link between electronica and minimalism. |
