| Though high-technology musical instruments seem to come and go, the SP-1200 seems to have a special place in hip-hop. As the liner notes to Jel's 10 Seconds (named after the SP's sample time, split into four two-and-a-half second banks) attest, producers from Mantronix to the Bomb Squad to the Rza have all built classics around the limitations of the outdated machine. Anticon producer Jel seems to have passed through his short period of familiarization to put together this remarkable instrumental release. Unlike Dj Shadow's Endtroducing which all instrumental hip-hop albums as a rule of law must be compared to, 10 Seconds does not collect a lush array of instrumental samples and layer them until a new composition arises. Instead, Jel takes a brief glimpse of his surroundings to catch an appropriate background, whether an electric guitar ("15. Define Mix") or a cheering crowd ("23. Special"), over which he lays his masterful drumwork. Two of the last songs, "Time Signature" and "Subsong," seem more fully developed in this respect: the former's fast-paced shouts and horns, funking it up next to the 80's throwback of the main sample, contrast against the slow acoustic guitar and vocal samples of the hazy latter. These two are both closer to Jel's normal production sound, and stand out for it. But on even the briefest and barest of Jel's rhythmic exercises, there's an endearing charm present. One listen to the second track, "12. Multi Level" reveals the "ill beats" the Dj at the start speaks of, with a twisting rhythm whose changing pattern evolves over a couple of minutes, echoing out every now and then, like a mission statement for the entire record. Later, "20. Delete Sound" (the song titles are mainly buttons from the drum machine, incidentally) showcases a terribly engrossing loop of sound that you'll swear are being played live, so natural does the beat sound (Jel does often play his SP live, incidentally). Its antithesis, the automated beatbox of "21. 1st Song/Step" - achieves the same goal of imitating the live sound, making Jel and the SP-1200's operation as transparent as possible. It's a rare album that recalls the old school without being self-consciously "retro" - but Jel manages here to make an album equally at home in 1987 or in 2002. You're going to love what 10 Seconds can do. Ready? - Melencholy Vibe |
2XLP/Out Of Print