random access crew (cdr from nCr)
this is a cd with a fare amount of moments that cause me to sit up while i'm listening and say "that was pretty cool" (it's true, i talk like that). nCr as a label seems to be putting out pretty solid releases from what i've heard, although i haven't gotten around to checking them out. this one was thrust upon me (well, they asked if i'd like to give it a listen and i said yes) and i'm glad for it. random access crew's sound consists of stuttery beats and delicate melodies, video game bleeps and squirts which because of my listening habits immediately calls to mind mark price's various projects (math and glass of juice, etc) although comparisons to µ-ziq (brace yourself and lunatic harness as opposed to the more recent royal astronomy) and aphex twin wouldn't be off the mark. beat programming is very nice on this, intricate and very well laid out, and although the melody lines are sometimes subdued and hovering in the background they really work. the tracks are very short but there are nineteen of them so i don't think i can hold it against them and anyway it's a nice change from the bloat that consumes so many artists of this sort. a really excellent release.