Customer Reviews

Pole 1

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have to admit that when I first tried this album at a record store, I did not like it. See, this is not hurried music, and it takes a good listen to understand what Pole is doing. Once I was able to sample it online, then buy a copy and immerse myself in it at home, I realized that this is excellent music.

The first thing you will notice about this album is the "static." Pole's innovative use of a broken filter produces a noise that keeps each track sharp, with fluttery pops and clicks peppered on top of the dub style rhythms. Then you will hear the underlying dub beats that give a solid foundation to what would otherwise be purely experimental sounds. The album is deeply relaxing because of the bass melodies that center on a calm but lively tempo.

If you want some smart electronic music that can be used equally well for serene background music or deep listening, then Pole will not disappoint.

The legend behind the sparse, crackly minimalism of Stefan Betke's music as Pole is that one day, he dropped his Waldorf 4 Pole filter, and caused it to create unintentional noise. However, it turned out to be the "sound he was looking for."

Pole's CD1 (or LP1 if you've got the vinyl) is intentionally influenced by Jamaican dub. Yet Pole is unlike any dub, or any music at all, that you've ever heard. Pole creates extremely stark, extremely soothing music built around two important elements. One is the bass, where the dub influence is most apparent. These are beautiful low tones that Lee Perry would be proud of. Two is rhythms based on static (created by his defective filter). There are no drums. Though there are various other musics and sounds that, like dub, come in and out of the mix, it is the combination of the bass and static that give Pole such a unique and relaxing feel.

Though one can classify Pole as minimal, Pole is unlike much minimalist electronic music in that he sets a very enticing, dark mood, and forces it to hold your attention for the entire length of the album. Even though this album can be listened to as background music, subconsciously your mind is aware of Pole, and it affects you. Songs flow into each other, making the 9 tracks feel like one metamorphizing unit. 'Flagen,' the busiest song, is the best example of his static-based rhythms; my personal favorite is the haunting 'Paula.'

Though one could argue that all these songs sound the same, no one could argue that they sound like anyone else. Influenced by dub, Pole merely uses it as a platform, an idea to meld with his own music. While his second release, CD2, has more rhythms akin to traditional dub and therefore may be more accessible, CD1 is world you've never explored. And you should.

Just picked up this disc. As a dub fiend I was intrigued by the description on the cover of the cd.
"CD1 reverses the dimensions of dub by submerging the rythms and allowing his static 'n' hiss to take the lead... The spectral dub emanating from Pole is a giant leap forward for reggae's impurists." -Mixmag
I guess that and have heard Pole's remix of Fauna Flash's "Tel Aviv" track on Compost 100, I like Fauna Flash a lot, gave me the ok to pick up this disc. At first I was like what did I buy? After a while it became very medative, and now I dig it. It is a bit out there but I recommend it. It sounds like a soundtrack to a futuristic abstract space thriller with an elusive plot. If you like this try to get Koss on the fledgling sound of speed label. I dont know how available that one is, I picked it up in Tokyo last spring.
Have Fun and Space Out in a serious way!

Being a bit of an Oval fan, I was keen to dip the toe in the Pole waters. This is an amazingly funky little click/cut/pop/glitch album. The warm and charming minimalism is a welcome change from some of the more 'middle of the road' glitch style, but it often also has a bit of a 'tongue-in-cheek' approach - tracks 7 to 9 'Fremd', 'Paula' and 'Fliegen' are good examples of this.

This is a great little album to have on in the background, but equally deserves an attentive listen. Like the track 'Do While' on Oval's '94 Diskont' (a current fave CD), these 9 tracks don't waste a moment of their duration. From go to whoa, this is a winner! A must in every 'weird electronica' collection.

A written review will do no justice to the quality and beauty of this album. The second CD, CD 2,is another one that I would highly recommend.

Opens with layers of record crackle until a deeply stoned, brain-dead excuse for a bassline creeps in and loops for about five minutes. Subsequent tracks explore variations on the techno-dub equation outlined by Basic Channel, and, yes, there is variety. Mostly made up of junk bits of digital sound and submerged in static, Pole makes music that is barely there and yet MUST BE HEARD TO BE BELIEVED. The true Kingston-Berlin axis. Also check out CD2.

Fantastic, brilliant and experimental. Rewarding listening for anyone. The spirit of this record is so important, and the mixture of quirky experimental sounds with the beautiful ambient and dub melodies is a perfect mix. I recommend headphone (and, of course, vinyl)listening for the full appreciation of this! I look forward to hearing more from Pole in the future!

This quite beautiful album manages to create sublime sounds from found - scratches, pops, clicks and crackles are all sampled and programmed to create magnificent soundscapes. This cd repays repeated plays, as the structure of each track becomes more apparent. A blueprint for accessible, adventurous 'electronica'.

A couple years ago...around 2K, I borrowed this 2X12" vinyl off a friend. Was listening to it and being blown away at the utter newness of these sounds. I found myself sitting in my living room listening to the recordings and my ears were dancing at every click and cut sound coming through the speakers with that deep dubby bass.

I don't know how many people have this on vinyl, but if you do I suggest as an experiment in sound, to put the vinyl on and instead of using the 33 speed, go for the 45 speed. It makes for a whole new experience. Sounds almost more driving and danceable. Give it a try.

This is a good piece of work. Different from other "german dub" artists such as Porter Ricks, Maurizio, or Monolake. Stephan Betke uses a Waldorf 4 Pole Filter (maybe not functioning OK) to produce the intrincate rythmic patterns on which he lays dub infected bass and lead melodies.

It's an original approach to create that grey and moody ambience of almost all german techno records. Add to that the proved efficiency of shuffled reggae flavored rythms and bass lines when it comes to letting the mind (and the ears) rest. Best track (and dubbiest) is # 3 (Kirschenessen). Maybe Betke should work out his synth sounds a little bit more to match the originality of the rythmic structures. Anyway, I must say I haven't listened to POLE 2 yet.