JPLS - Program

"Program" is definitely on the experimental side of minimal, with little dance floor application (unless really high), but that does not make it less interesting. It is very deep, trippy and dark. After the first few seconds when you've had the time to get used to the unusually slow rhythm, you are immersed into it and the journey begins! JPLS has clearly used the same sounds in all 3 tracks, which are essentially variations of one another, with different melodies and drum patterns. Overall a very good release, and in my opinion a must-have for minimal/experimental/abstract fans.

*sigh*. I have to eat my words on this one. Program is not intended to, nor should it ever be played by itself. After reading other people's positive comments regarding this release, I bought the record just to see if I could do something interesting with it. To my surprise, I did. The best album I found to mix these layers with is Tractile's Silent Movie EP, which is also on the M_Nus label. When you have the JPLS tracks running as an added layer it really powers up every 2nd bass kick in your main track. Its surprisingly easy to maintain a tight beatmatch on this track for 5-6 minutes, which almost makes me wish I had a 3rd turntable...

Click, click, pop. Click, click, click. Beep. I normally don’t go out of my way to trash talk someone’s work, but this is not music. I can honestly say that this is perhaps the most disappointing record I have ever bought, and I would not have bought it if I weren’t a Plus 8/Minus collector. Less does not necessarily mean more. Removing the superfluous components of a track can effectively increase its potency, but not if what you are left with has absolutely no character. It’s really a shame that this was released on Minus. In my opinion, it has tarnished the nearly impeccable reputation of one of my favorite record labels.

This release is a great example of minimal dj's/producers thinking they are on a different musical plane than everyone else.

Call it what you want but this record a couple of bleepity blop elements thrown onto a vinyl w/ some reverb. Labeling this as minimal techno is an overstatement. You have 1 or 2 elements max appearing at these tracks at any point in time.

At some point have to draw the a line between being creatively eccentric and ask yourself if this is really music?

Strange that this release gets a so low rating.
This is a solid release in my opinion, especially when you are mixing this as a sub layer into other minimal tracks.
Reminds me a bit of Concept.
All three tracks are playable to spice up your set and the deep dark wobbling chords give you a dark atmospheric sound excursion.
Think of yourself being in a dark cave and water is dripping of the ceiling.
It's not everybody's taste of course.
Nevertheless, solid release for me.