Rrose X Bob Ostertag - The Surgeon General (12" vinyl)

Rrose's identity still remains a mystery, I'm sure he'll be outed at some point but really who cares anyway? It's the audio that matters right? Following three excellent EP's and a full length on the now defunct Sandwell District and also a superb podcast for RA, Rrose is back in action on his fresh new Eaux imprint with old pal Bob Ostertag in tow.

This 12" takes a similar format to the 'Motormouth Variations' in that it contains original material by Ostertag and then reworks by Rrose. The Ostertag material is culled from a cassette from his archives and features an improvisation recording from 1977 which utilised Bulcha modular synth, tape delay, flute and violin. 'The Surgeon General' is quite a decent track actually with the flute cooing away like a possessed demonic pigeon and curious synth bleeps accompanied by subtly strangled violin.

Rose's first rework 'The Surgeon General (No Child Left Behind)' is every bit as ace as I was hoping, completely transforming the source material into a techno stormer primed both for heads and feet. A driving baseline, badass percussion and a morphing acid riff all combine to create a monster that's bound to induce hallucinations on the dancefloor without any need for a chemical catalyst.

The second rework 'The Surgeon General (Her Insides Laid Bare)' is a different kettle of fish in that the source material is more easily identifiable. Adding current production techniques he's created a menacing electro-acoustic interpretation that threatens and teases to go off into techno territory but doesn't. A well considered and restrained remix. Initial pressing comes on white vinyl. Top notch gear all round.