Tycho (3) - Past Is Prologue (Sampler)

The real highlight of this release for me is A Circular Reeducation (Dusty Brown Remix). This track is just one of those odd ball jems that will stick around in my record box waiting for that perfect moment to play. All the parts of this song feel like their constantly sliding in and out of the song as the clicks and minimalistic pops drive the track foward. Amazing release.

Not the track selection I was expecting, but I must admit that these cuts are the better representation of Tycho's sound. I've said elsewhere that I think the music is less BOC than Marumari mixed with a consistent Merck sound; The female vocals on both A-side tracks and the downtempo beat patterns place this slightly outside the idm/hip-hop orbit. I think that's about right. Only "PBS" belies the BOC connection with it's title, structure and sound palate (audio of the artist and his grandmother) but I think it's got the best beat on this sampler by far.

Points off for re-releasing the Nautilis remix, which is already available in the Squadron 2 boxset. It's not a bad effort - mainly pleasant and I like the vocal treatment - but it didn't warrant a second appearance. Considering this is the first time we can get Tycho's original music on vinyl, it feels like an opportunity missed.