Chatham, Rhys/Kane, Jonathan/DJ Elated System – “Septile” – [Ninja Tune/Ntone]

In the late 90s prolific minimal composer Rhys Chatham got together with Ninja Tune’s Ntone sublabel to do some experimental trip-hop stuff alongside Swans cofounder/drummer Jonathan Kane and experimental turntablist Elated Systems. He’s playing trumpet here, loose narcotic improvised tangents swirling amorphously around the chopped up, nebular trip-hop. Mutated bugle calls heading into thrashed and slashed breakbeat treading water and splashing about to stay afloat but the pulsing waves of bass throb and murky, subaqueous currents constantly threaten to pull him under. The third track has a marching-band slow-build rhythm chugging along as we soar through cosmic 40s radio tuning, communicating with unseen forces (FCC ALMOST INAUDIBLE MOTHERFUCKER ON 3). The fourth track has a more nefarious nightmare feel to it like hiding from supernatural demons and ghoulies in dark Facility corridors and air vents. He says the music is supposed to make people think less effectively in order to feel more thoroughly, I think you can do both just fine.