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Jimmy Edgar
Yes, yes it is. As less than fifty people mill around London's scabby Rhythm Factory, an east-end scenester retreat, famed for its impromptu Babyshambles shows and riotous Selfish Cunt gigs, Jimmy Edgar, Detroit techno's mack daddy, plays a vital, life-affirming set of mind-bending beats, glitch and synth.
Of the gaggle of people in this room, approximately eight are paying attention, the rest choosing to stand around talking, possibly about how badly promoted this show is (and it really is).
However, for those eight, what unfurls is nothing short of spectacular. Performing a set heavy with tracks from his new (and equally impressive) long-player, Color Strip, Edgar breathes a new kind of soul into what could easily be a soulless electronic display. One of the LP's less enthralling prospects, 'My Beats', becomes an undeniably awe-inspiring track, evolving from the slightly flat recorded performance to one tonight filled with energy and vigour.
On that notion, the better tracks from the record get even better, right? Well, yes, and then some. The encore of 'Hold It, Attach It, Connect It' is as epic as it is danceable, as fun to stand and watch as it is to uncontrollably spasm around the sparsely-populated dance floor.
For anyone with even a slight soft spot for electronica or techno, Jimmy Edgar is currently one of the most forward-thinking, accomplished producers in the world. Tonight's performance of his post-modernist take on To Rococo Rot leaves a few of us breathless and jubilant, and as for the rest of the room? Well, it's their loss...
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He is accomplished
but I wouldn't say he's that forward thinking. Much of Color Strip sounds like stuff that's been coming out of Detroit for years.
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there's more to it than that
he has a very distinct sound, and it's 'smoochier' than most techno.
you can slowdance to it, and i think that was very intentional indeed.
plus, he's bordering on 60s french film star level coolness.
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exactly
and he's also bringing it back round, making it more accessible and all the while looking like a cool motherfucker.
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I agree that is a bit more laid-back than a lot of techno
but he's so obviously from Detroit though and it's hardly groundbreaking. I'm just not that taken with Color Strip.
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I think he is forward thinking.
He definitely takes a lot of sounds from 80/90s detroit techno but he does it in a way that sounds amazingly fresh. "...STD" and "Hold It, Attach It..." sound like nothing anything else around.
Who ever promoted last night should be sacked.
from LIFE.-
In fact, I think it might be the fact it's laid back
is why I'm not so keen on it. I'd prefer an adrenaline rush but it is quite soulful at times.
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i disagree
but i'm obviously unable to sway you here.
i hope i never set foot in the rhythm factory ever again.
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ditto.
what a complete scenester hole.
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If it wasn't at Rhythm Factory, I might have gone.
I wasn't there last night so I haven't heard his songs in a live setting but from what listening to Color Strip I think he's good but nothing special. Yet. I am only referring to his music though... talented bastard seems to be good at a lot of things.
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you might like color strip more
if you play it at a ridiculously loud volume.
last night has improved it from a 7 to a 9 for me, because i realised there's more to it.
i wish he'd played the scala or cargo or anywhereelsethatwasn'tthesmacktory. for people who know how to publicise things.
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I'd play it through my headphones
if only I could somehow work out how to lower the volume slightly. I tried it and nearly deafened myself.
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totally
everything sounded so much better coming out of the loud speakers. I agree with the review though, the tracks did have even more life to them. It also helps when it isn't just a guy nodding his head behind a laptop. Jimmy was ace.
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Alright, you've convinced me.
If he plays again (and it's not Rhythm Factory) I'll go.
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boo
It seems that Jimmy Edgar and Jackson keep on being put on in London's worst venues.. anyone try to catch Jackson at The Parlour in Sketch? Absolutely painful. I'd love to hear his stuff in a good venue with nice sound.
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Jackson and his Computer Band
are playing at Fabric in July. I think.
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haha
that made me laugh, Homesick
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jimmy e
regarding the closing paragraph.
i would like to attach my own 11 cents, touching on the same opinion.
not only is jimmy a rythmic scientist in creating music, he exudes an energy that is absent of the usual cliche exteriors of other artists out there. jimmy is still young,he has more than enough time to blow minds with his talent.who he is,defines the undefined with attractive mystery and inviting precision..( as a friend of his..i trust that .. his future is blinding and bright.)
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