Jan Jelinek: Loop-Finding-Jazz-Records Vinyl 2LP

Jan Jelineks debut LP under his government name (Personal_Rock, his 1999 full-length as Gramm, is also worth seeking out) is constructed entirely out of samples from old jazz records. While most might take that mission statement as an excuse to make loopy filter house, Jelineks metallurgic approach extracts grooves at a molecular level and reconstructs them; properly stripped-down techno in finest 2001 style. Its an idealistic departure from the prevailing minimal techno sound of the new millennium, borne from the banality and existential pointlessness of Clicks & Cuts-style electronic music. We loveJelinek‘s Dieter Rams-esque doctrine: Loop-finding-jazz-records follows one certain production idea. This probably made it successful. All the pieces are like well-designed objects: no random, accidental moments, all focused on a harmony. This makes it enjoyable as functional musicmusic to work to, write emails to, etc. Towards the end of Moire – Piano & Organ, you can almost make out the transients of a vibraphone ringing out, just before Rock In The Video Age washes up on the shore. Tendency is the lone track I could imagine slipping into an afterhours set, but the rest of it is pure headphone business for planes, trains and automobiles in the best possible way, like a faceless / wordless Vespertine. Drift, They, Them and Do Dekor are delectably crunchy microhouse snacks, but best to listen from start to finish. 2LP reissue onJelineks own Faitiche imprint, includes download code. Recommended.

• black double vinyl pressing
• original release year: 2001
• music label: Faitiche 2017

reviewed by winston wolf 02/2019