I think I am beginning to sound like my father. Things I say remind me of him. For instance, when I opened this disc I muttered, “Remix, when I was a kid there were no remix albums.” Maybe not, but there was electric Miles’ Live Evil by way of “producer” Teo Macero, his cutting and splicing of reel to reel tape has been replaced by today’s drum machines and computer editors. And because nobody dances at the Knitting Factory, remixes are called for. But I’m getting ahead of myself. The band Ponga’s self titled release on this same label is the best fusion of East & West and Downtown with electronic music this (I guess I can say it) past century. The Down-towners Wayne Horvitz (Zony Mash, Naked City, The President) and Bobby Previte (John Zorn, Elliot Sharp, Latin For Travelers, Empty Suits) team up with West coast freak/funkers Skerik (Critter Buggin’) and Dave Palmer (900 Ft Jesus) to record some raw totally improvised jams ala Miles Davis. Fans of Dark Magus, Live At The Fillmore etc. should own this disc. Chapter two is a remix project which endeavors to push the improvised music into danceable “clean music.” Drum ‘n’ bass, and assorted drum machines are the order for the day. Bobby Previte’s percussion madness is replaced just like 2001’s Hal took over the ship. And like the recent commercial remix releases by Bill Laswell, these artists package and reconfigure the music, smoothing rough edges, making it clubland safe or chill-out comfortable. For Ponga fans there’s also two new tracks included.

Track List:Silencio; Naugahide (remix); Pimba (Remix); Pimba (Fromunda Mix); Pick Up The Pieces Of Saturn (Freakency Remix); Pick Up The Pieces Of Saturn (Mosh Mix); Hidden Propulsion Unit (Mix); Libarace In Space (Ponga Party Mix); Naugahide (Remix); Naugahide (Remix); Come As You Went.

Personnel: Wayne Horvitz – Keyboards; Bobby Previte – Drums; Skerik – Saxophones, Sample; Dave Palmer - Keyboards; Remixes by Amon Tobin; Fila Brazillia; Spacetime Continuum; Capsule 150; Master Cylinder; Firing Bullets; Stereo Vacuum; Element 115; Evan Schiller.

Style: Mainstream/Bop/Hard Bop/Cool
Published: January 01, 2000

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