>>From Mixer Magazine, March 2000....Page 81<<

WHO would have thought Russia would become a contender in an IDM world? Admittedly, a few brilliant artists does not an expansive scene make, but Fizzarum, Solar X, Lazyfish, and now Novel 23 suggest we may be in for a strong showing soon from that geographical realm-reference Moscow-based label Art-tek's watershed Artefacts compilation. As the album's title suggests, Novel 23's Roman Belousov captures melodic ideas from that sweet fountain of youthful innocence and allows them too run free in the open spaces of the mind. 
"The Light from the Star with the Name Xoiq" floats effervescent like the first time you realized that, wow, there are a lot of stars in the night sky and they're really pretty and how can they be just like the sun because the sun's so big and OH! they're that far away?! Its not a complicated sound (the gear used is Soviet-era synths), and that makes it all the more poignant; "D.L." washes over you like an Incunabula-era Autechre tune and it doesn't sound old. Instead, it sounds like a shimmering dream. (Heath K. Hignight) 
 

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Jake Mandell has made a name for himself over the past few years with releases on such esteemed labels as Worm Interface, Mille Plateux, and Force Inc. Jake has always strived to capture the essence of his sound without repeating himself. Carving out his own unique take on left field electronics. A kindred spirit with pure talent is evident . Tracks from this ep such as "an unatural sunset" and "gurgael" spew forth calcified melodies and clangy, computer manipulated percussion.

The underlying, often scary atmospheres that flow through many of the tracks signal something very new and different with few previous reference points(if any) to draw upon. This is cutting a new musical path if ever one was cut.
These 8 grooves are saved from obscurity by this repress. 
 

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Manchester-based deviant sound architects brian flanagan and mike hopkins of datathief divide boundaries with two idm composers known as yunx. two very unique electronic bands that will have much more to offer in the next year. besides the numerous compilations appearances each have been released on such labels as beta bodega coalition, skam, v/vm, suction, isophlux, and subconcious geography, just to name a few. 
 
datathief gathers intelligent operative information for the mind with opening track "kingpin[datatheme]" that engages technological sword-colliding rhythms that pace with dark bass accents, pulling you into their brilliant dark idm/electro sound. the very catchy cool sounds of "interrupt[version zero]" split forces of video game-esq beat attacks and super sweet interlaced melodies that leave you breathless before the song even finishes. definitely one of my favorite tracks from these artists and one that will remain timeless. "grey" chills out with nice fluid, somber harmonies, and subtle distant rhythm and bass elements that emerge and fall into the background of side one as it ends. 
 
yunx presents three complimentary tracks that give us a strong idealism into their dark idm stylings as well. "supertrack" moves into place with punchy and somewhat jazzy break-beats that pace nicely with funk-driven melodies and soft analog string pads. "tenson" plays with fun melodies that bounce alongside snappy low snares and more punchy beats. these funky jazz rhythms work into the last track as well, entitled "gx.9900." this track remains my favorite of all presented here by yunx and reminds me of something that could easily fit into the toytronic sound. surrounded by evolving touches of echoing attacks and break-beats with somewhat eerie analog string patches and subtle bass lines.
 
a very impressive release that simply provides new unique sounds for not too distant future of a video game generation. (thanks to Alan McClelland for this review>> http://www.nezzwerk.com/seven/)
 

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>>From AP(Alternative Press) Music Magazine issue 148, Nov 2000. Page92)<<

Sweden's Martin Abrahamsson previously appeared as Saundart on Mad Monkey's excellent experimental comp Enter The Monkey, staking claim among IDM's inner circle of glitch. On this 12-inch, Abrahamsson steps toward the melodic as Bauri while retaining much of his previous technical complexity. The a-side focuses on light but intricate beat structures, where "Intern Brislyrik" and "Ninjafik v.1" float from pure percussion exercises to a gentle leitmotif that's picked up on the flip by "Ninjafik v.2" The ep rounds out with a catchy techstep break over piano on "Avlagsen Bekantskap" and supersonic tweaking on "Motvilligt Medgivande". An altogether fresh release that sits well on repeated listens.
(Heath K. Hignight)

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