Customer Reviews

Mixed Emotional Features

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I generally don't like drum and bass. In fact this is one of the few CD's of the few dozen or so I `ve tried that I like. MW generally doesn't program his drums too fast or dark, and unlike what I've heard (as a d'n'b newbie) the beats blend into the tracks well. It doesn't sound like programmed beats with melodies or instruments added afterwards. What I find especially compelling is his use of jazz, blues, piano, and old samples as the basis to his music. It contrasts well without fighting the percussion. Considering that, it gets a 4 star recommendation.

It starts well with the dark, melancholy "Rene M," and then goes to "Detonator," the cut he made a music video for. "Detonator" starts off as typical d'n'b (distorted drums and snaky baseline,), then kicks into this 60's chase scene horn-frenzy about two minutes in to cool effect. Track 3 "Jello Dart" is pretty good,. "Counts, Dukes & Strays" follows and is excellent, using concise, sparse jazz samples to a laid back hipster beat. "Mycroft," track 5, is the first track I don't like- that squiggly, deep baseline sound of d'n'b is grating, and this has it. "Heaven" is blues to a beat that made Beastie Boys' Check Your Head come to mind. "Motion Booty" despite its title is really a companion piece to "Rene M," and "Times of Danger" brings back the same car chase vibe s "Detonator." The last track is pretty bad, but at least this is the place to put it.

There you have it, 8 of 10 are good, it's got 4-5 strong hits, and it's one of the drum and bass CDs I like enough to keep. One last note, the packaging is first rate and classy; it's nice to see an artist who takes pride in these little details.

Its a little over the top in parts for me, but there's no denying that Dorn knows what he's about. It is not as experimental as the likes of Autechre, Richard James/Aphex, and it isn't as slyly funky as Amon Tobin's stuff or the recent Funki Porcini, but Dorn gets quite a psychedelic groove going. Dorn also is pretty imaginative in his rythmic use and placement of samples. He hasn't quite ascended Mt. Olympus yet, but he's getting real close. Recommended.

Talk about inspired (or inspiring). This man is definitely in touch with the stuff dreams are made of, and continues to improve on his masterful skills following his first release "Home Movies from the Brainforest." This latest stuff will take you out of your hum-drum here and now, to a bass-and-drum realm of deeeelicious grooves. My sincerest thanks go out to Mocean Worker for a very moving new work of art.

For months now, I've regarded Adam F's "Colours" as the best blend of D&B, Jungle, R&B, Jazz, and Trance. Finally, there's another contender. Buy this disc - and if you've never heard Adam F, get that too. Mocean Worker ranks even (and sometimes over) anything by Metalheadz. I'm a fan.. and can't wait to see what comes next from this brilliant artist.

For the past few years U.S tech-step drum and bass has been able to match the quality of similiar material from overseas. But never before has a U.S artist been able to match Britain's style of intelligent drum and bass. Adam Dorn changes all that, and this album is as compelling as anything you will hear from Metalheadz or Good-Looking. He creates a jazzy atmosphere not unlike that of Amon Tobin/Cujo, but his drum breaks are more structured and danceable. But the most intriguing feature of his music is the acid effects he utilizes to give the songs a tripped out feel. Very few junglists have experimented with implementing this tool.(although techno and house embrace it.) Mocean Worker, however, uses it on almost every track, crafting a fluid style that most musicians only dream of. I think I've said enough. So if you are interested enough in Mocean Worker to read this review, I guarantee that you will love this music... Amazon, you should pay me for writing these reviews!

I'm not sure how many people are actualy going to see this review, but for the few of you that do purchase this album.