Futique
Paging Mr. So-And-So
Shadow
I was so enamored with Futique’s first CD, Luv-Luv, that I lodged it firmly in my CD player for about 6 months straight, and put it near the top of my list of favorite CDs of 1996. Taylor Deupree and his partner Savvas Ysatis help define electronic music and by showing how fluid and inviting it can really be, from Seti to Human Mesh Dance, and now with Futique. Imagine my surprise, then, when I first popped in Futique’s newest CD Paging Mr. So-And-So, and surmised that it was just that – so-so. Honest. Gone was the laid-back sensibility I so enjoyed on Luv-Luv, gone were the ambient stylings and cool flow. I resigned this CD to my stack of stuff to review, shaking my head. Taylor Deupree, what are you doing, man? What is he doing? Being sneaky, that’s what. I’ve since listened to this album about 20 times trying to come up with a correct review, and still can’t do it. How can I best describe this CD? Wow, hypnotic, perplexing, addictive. One song builds into the next into the next. You have drum-n-bass, hypnotic dirges, static, deep drum loops, strange and compelling “mysterious” music… it’s impossible to define. There is no one to compare it to. You’ll just have to listen to it for yourself. Without consciously knowing it, Futique have once again found their way into my CD player for the next few months. Shadow Records, 111 E. 14th St. #334, New York, NY 10003