Various - The Braindance Coincidence

  by Benjamin Howarth

published: 17 / 12 / 2001

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Review

Braindance is the term coined by Rephlex records to describe the music it releases. Since being founded in 1991 by Richard D James (Aphex Twin) and Grant Wilson-Claridge, Rephlex has been releasing experimental and electronic music that is very similar to the music James himself releases through Warp records. Rephlex can not claim to be as influential and vital as the Sheffield based Warp. This compilation, however, proves that Rephlex is more than merely a home for the weaker elements of the experimental genre. In fact, Warp’s current stars Boards Of Canada were actually originally turned down by James.. The compilation is an especially cheap introduction to the experimental genre and for your £5 you get 76.36 minutes of music over 16 tracks. This includes established names such as q-ziq, Squarepusher and Bogdan Raczynski alongside lesser known ones. Although lending James’ name to the label adds to its standing and the signing policy can therefore be quite strict, there are obviously some weak moments. The good tracks, however, far outweigh the weaker ones. ‘The Braindance Coincidence’ gives the impression of being a Rephlex records best-of rather than a sampler. Underground electronica distances itself from mainstream dance in both its attitude and music. ‘Braindance’ is literally dance music with brains behind it that strives to achieve something creatively, while mainstream dance music, with few exceptions, aims for nothing better than being drug music. ‘Braindance’ rarely concentrates on melody. The centre of the sound is rhythm. Generally it fits into one of two extremes. Either it is gently paced and ambient (think, for an easy reference point, the early Aphex Twin albums) or hyperspeed scatterbeats (think the ‘Come To Daddy mini-album). Of all the tracks I would name three favourites. Opener ‘Journey’ by the Gentle People features traditional folk music instrumentation, a full vocal and an ambient beat. Its four minutes are calm but textured and remind me of my personal electronica favourites Boards Of Canada. Cyclob’s ‘Rewind’ uses a computer voice so, of course, is similar to ‘Fitter Happier’ from Radiohead’s ‘OK Computer’ but it is unpredictably catchy. The best however is Bogdan Raczynski’s insane, hyperactive ‘Death to The Natives’. If I weren’t already familiar with him I would say I had heard nothing like it. This compilation is quite brilliant at times and serves as a superb counter argument to those who say dance music will not be relevant or exciting in 10 years time. The earliest tracks on this still sound significant and stimulating all these years on. I don’t think that ‘Braindance’ renders other forms of music obsolete, but I still love it. This album is perfect for those who love electronica passionately (you surely can’t have everything here) but also for those who need a nice amount of electronic music to balance out t heir record collection

Track Listing:-

1 Gentle People : Journey
2 Global Goon : Long Whiney
3 Cyclob : Rewind
4 DMX Krew : The Glass Room
5 D'Arcangelo : Diagram VII (80's Mix)
6 Bochum Welt : Fortune Green
7 Railway Raver : Keith's Trumpets
8 Baby Ford : Normal
9 U Ziq : Swan Vesta
10 Vulva : Happy Birdie ! Sad Birdie
11 Vibert Simmonds : (This Can) Robotic
12 Chaos AD : Psultan (Squarepusher Mix)
13 Bogdan Raczynski : Death To The Natives
14 Mike Dred / Peter Green : Kymera
15 Leila : Don't Fall Asleep
16 Ovuca : Afternoon Girl