Hello friends and neighbors =) Today I will be doing a track-by-track review on an old record by the infamous Richard D. James under his Caustic Window moniker. It is called Joyrex J4.
Album: Joyrex J4
Artist: Caustic Window
Released: 1992
Genre: Acid house
Obtained: 3 years ago, ripped off YouTube via stereo mix drive
OVERVIEW
Joyrex J4 is part one of a 4 part series. That music like this was being created during the days of "No Limits" and "Everybody Dance Now" is almost unimaginable, unless you were there to see it happen, which I was not (I was fresh out of the oven at the same time as this record :P). It may seem a bit dated now, but back then, the sounds on this EP were way ahead of their time.
All the tracks on this EP remained untitled until the release of the Joyrex "Compilation" CD in 1998.
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JOYREX J4
This track may feature one of the first instances of synthetic "wubs" ever recorded. The best part of this track isn't in the repetitive melodies (which were commonplace for techno/electronic music in the 90's), but in the ever changing percussion underneath. That's where the magic is. Mostly though, this is an edgy, almost aggressive dance track.
POPCORN
This is a remix of Gershon Kingsley's 1969 hit "Pop Corn". The intro, with its quiet start, followed by a moog-y bassline under a high-pitched, high-passing sustained note, does a fine job getting listeners
attention, and does not fail to maintain the energy and nostalgia of the classic tune. For anyone who's been collecting Popcorn covers, this one should be at the top of your list.
AFX 114
The third track is merely an aggressive drum beat with some subtle effects, which would later be used on the track "Phlange Phace" on The Aphex Twin's Xylem Tube EP. This beat is almost as catchy and recyclable as the famous Amen Break (almost).
CORDIALATRON
Cordialatron is much slower and more laid-back, letting us drift away with its reverberating piano melodies and chill beats. Great for walking downtown on any summer day. Love it.
ITALIC EYEBALL
Italic Eyeball seems like something that should have waited to be released on the Polygon Window album Surfing On Sine Waves. It's soft, it's mellow, yet it has creepy voices and a fast and unorthodox beat. This track is better listened to with subwoofers because at least half of the essence of this song lies in the bassline alone. By the way, what's with the name? Could this be another one of his clever anagrams?
PIGEON STREET
Just a short little happy chune to end the album on a good note. (No pun intended.... or was it?)
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The Joyrex series is extremely rare, and, if you can find a physical copy, extremely expensive, especially if you live outside the UK like me. But for uber RDJ fans, it is a must-have, no doubt. As for the rest of you, I'm not explicitly telling to you to rip it off the internet wherever possible buuuttt..........
Thanks for reading, have a great day! =)
Favorite Tracks:
Cordialatron, Popcorn
Free mp3 streaming courtesy of Grooveshark:
http://grooveshark.com/#!/album/Joyrex+J4+EP/259361
OR Listen to the whole series at rephlex.com
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