Regis - 1997-1998

The second disc in the Regis retrospective trilogy covers the years 1997-1998 and consists of fourteen heavy techno stormers. Karl O 'Connor's experiments in repetition and minimalism would continue into the late 90's and in some ways felt even more brutal than what had come from the artist previously. The ridged loop based approach was/ is the foundation of the tracks but these tracks in some ways are somewhat noisier, more distorted and even more industrial. Sure there are a few tracks that are reminiscent of some stuff off of Jeff Mills' Waveform Transmissions Vol.3' but at the time these cuts still stood out head and shoulders above a lot of what was coming out at the time, just before techno crashed and burned and a ton of recycled loops were plaguing the techno scene. But then Regis didn't really embrace the techno scene in many ways and just did his own thing, which is why years later these tracks still hold up. As punishing and cerebral as many of them are the man still manages to retain a sense of funk to his tunes. Listening back it's clear to see a transition to where he is at with his production these days. Obviously tempos have shifted and the 4/4 structure not as ridged anymore, but listening to the distant drones and the heavy clanking industrial soundscapes the collection represents the artists growth and refinement of creative ideas which can be traced from these early/ mid-period recordings through to present day. As we say up North "There are some feet fookin' slammers" to be had here.