Bola - Shapes

People have called this (well, the 3x12" version, which is missing some key tracks) Bola's weakest work, but in some ways it is my favourite. It was the first Bola release I heard, so that is perhaps part of the reason, but it is definitely more than just that. A criticism leveled at this release is that his other releases are more melodic, but I do not think it is a bad thing. It concentrates more on atmospherics and soundscapes than his other releases, backed with his familiar beat stylings. In fact, my reaction the opening track "Flower (Fonk)" was a spoken out loud "wow", and is possibly my favourite track he has done. I love it's deep soundscape which is peppered with a beautiful subtle melody and sparse beats.
This is another Bola gem, and at the very least deserves an attentive listen, putting aside any expectations you might have from listening to his other works.

One of the reasons 'Shapes' is so rare is there were a number of copies came back from GZ vinyl ([pressing plant) with bad pressing mistakes from the cut, almost like chips in the vinyl, which rendered copies unplayable.
Also, in my opinion this is Bola's weakest work, and rumour has it he wasnt happy being associated with the release, hence the anonymity (this time NOT just a marketing scam by Skam:).
'Soup' is by far the better work, more rounded, melodic and great sounding even today, whereas i wish the same could be said for 'Shapes'.

i don't know of the artist responsible for this remarkable 3x12" set was ever publicly disclosed, but shapes certainly has bola's sonic fingerprints all over them. fitton's early fixation on the "artificial intelligence" sound is in full effect here, as are his signature long sounds that evolve slowly over clattering, repeated rhymic structures. the overall effect is closer to the hypnotic, aquarium ambience of his first 12" and cd than the more dramatic and virtuosic tweakery of fyuti. one may wonder at the point of returning to the already well-documented amber or spanners-era sound without updating or even re-evaluating it, but for the quality of the material on display here. if shapes were ten years old, these records would be a benchmark of the genre. at three or four years old, they're still a very worthwhile (and expensive, it appears) trip in the wayback machine.