Norken - Soul Static Bureau

Lee Norris, in his Norken guise, finds him still reveling in digital blippery, but without the electro influences that mark his main alter-ego, Metamatics. On SOUL STATIC BUREAU, Norris delves into deeper territory, concentrating on sustained tones and stark rhythm patterns. So while “Gone” bops around rather pleasantly, “Painting” reveals longer strokes in its sound. There’s also a marked house-influence, although the tracks probably aren’t suitable for the dancing. That’s not a problem, though, when you have the angular drive of “Southern Soul” or the swimming sounds of “Shifting Through.” The ghost of Detroit comes shuffling through on “Motor Breeze,” while “Melissa Blend” closes out the album with a now-familiar vibe. Static? Not in the least.