µ-Ziq - Tango N' Vectif (1993) (mp3, 160kbps)

µ-Ziq is one of the performing and recording names associated with electronic musician Mike Paradinas. I can not believe that this record is now sixteen years old. When this album was released, Frank Zappa was still alive. When this album was released, Bob Dylan's Time Out Of Mind did not yet exist. In 1993 Bill Clinton was president Lenny Kravitz was asking "Are You Gonna Go My Way". The technology needed to make this record is probably a fraction of what is to be found in a current-day cell phone. It is a testament as to what a very determined young man can do at home with a computer, a strong knowledge of music production technology and a simple and, at times, sublime sense of melody.

I came to this record several years after it was recorded, but well before it was repackaged and released as a double CD in 2001. That's porbably worth having, but this is the old one. µ-Ziq got quickly associated with his label boss Aphex Twin, but this music uses the technology to elevate the themes and melodies. That makes the sound pallette at work underneath, so much less conspicuous. Whereas Squarepusher would, in his early works, rabidly draw attention to his considerable ability with instrument and software alike, µ-Ziq does not really care what you think of his ability. The percussion, instrumentation, theme and melody all add up to a sum that is greater than its parts.

It is, at times ambient, at times obnoxious, but the arpeggiator on "µ-Ziq Theme", the soaring melodies of the title track, and the mix of the twitchy with slow drama on "Amenida" are all perfect moments. Go on and enjoy those fat analog synths at the dawn of an electronic age in music that would take others to the top of the charts (The Prodigy '97) and, temporarily at least, take over the styles of hall of famers like Madonna, David Bowie and U2. These DJ's changed everything! µ-Ziq, there from the very beginning, is one fo the very best. This is his first record.

1. "Tango N' Vectif" – 4:03
2. "Swan Vesta" – 6:09
3. "Burnt Sienna" – 8:06
4. "Iesope" – 5:56
5. "Auqeam" – 3:58
6. "Vibes" – 3:54
7. "µ-Ziq Theme" – 4:36
8. "The Sonic Fox" – 5:33
9. "Amenida" – 5:54
10. "Whale Soup" – 3:22
11. "Xenith Filigree Anus (edit)" – 5:01
12. "Die Zweite Heimat" – 5:31
13. "Phragmal Synthesis, Pt. 3" – 4:49
14. "Phi*1700(U/V)" – 5:56
15. "Beatnik No. 2" – 5:36

The link is in the comments.