Review Summary: More complete, more musical, more accessible.
Ceephax Acid Crew isn’t exactly a house-hold name. There are few people who have heard of Andy Jenkinson’s one-man cheese factory (yes, the brother of Tom Jenkinson aka Squarepusher) and I’d be willing to bet that many of those who have aren’t huge fans of his brand of old-school acid house. For some there is a beauty to be found in the fizzy layers of 303 synths and vintage drum machines although, in the eyes and ears of this reviewer, there has always been a problem with the consistency of Ceephax Acid Crew releases. Whilst most of the EPs and albums always contain one or two catchy tunes there is usually an awful lot of crap present which can only be enjoyed under an altered state of consciousness. That’s why fans of the ‘Crew should all be very happy about this album as it shows Andy Jenkinson at his most mature and complete, allowing the listener to enjoy the entire work without the assistance of psychotropics. Although if that’s what you’re into then I have a suspicion that you’ll definitely enjoy this album.
The most obvious and immediate thing to be said about this album is that Andy has finally discovered his own sound. Beautifully produced and mastered instrumental arrangements of signature cornier-than-corn 303 synth sequences, squelchy bass lines, sweeping chiptune arpeggios and beefy analogue drum sounds run throughout the whole album, creating a sense of development, of musical narrative. This is then perhaps a concept album which, instead of telling a story through some arbitrary artistic intent, unfolds for the listener by way of musicality and instrumentation a wholly personal experience. Haunting melodies mutate into uplifting hooks as each track seamlessly moves into the next, every single one strangely recognisable yet unique, reminiscent of a time when electronic music was about music instead of technical ability.
So what of the individual pieces? There are some real stand-out tracks. Emotinium II, one of the highlights of the album, begins by taking you all the way back to the ambient house sound of the early 90s as heavily-filtered, modulated synths glide along a purposeful 4/4 rhythm, sedating and calming, draping you in a fuzzy blanket of classic electronic drum sounds and growling bass lines before two-thirds in it suddenly hits: the track opens itself up before you, immersing you entirely within stunning 303-dominated gorgeousity.
Emotinium II contrasts the chiptune styles of Castilian and Arcadian, the latter led stridently forwards in that classic console way via ferocious snare fills and a mind-blowing synth solo. Words honestly cannot do this track justice; the only honest way I can think of describing it is by allegorising it as a musical interpretation of the Mario Kart circuit Rainbow Road.
In summary this album is grossly underrated. Ceephax Acid Crew is no longer an artist you like just because you’re “being ironic”/ off your tits on acid. I strongly urge every serious fan of acid/ambient/IDM/progressive electronic music to give this album a listen.
