Surgeon

Alain_Patrick, Aug 31, 2007

I still remember the first time I heard about an English youngster called Anthony Child on Mixmag top 100 DJs edition from 1997 and his Surgery abilities as a producer and DJ. The man responsible for a whole new perspective on Techno, bringing together a minimal, rather abstract, with a very accurate (and at the same time ground breaking sense for the percussive) had been largely influenced by projects such as Throbbing Gristle, Coil, Suicide & Faust, but also many other different music styles. As (part of the) result he became a monthly resident of the legendary Tresor Club during 1997-1999.

I had to chance to be on two of his extraordinary repertories, result of what they call (at the same time) his deep musical background and his very strong feeling for the upcoming-futuristic music. This sound education can surely explain a lot about the artist’s optic when he DJs or produces. Sometime ago, during the Circuito Christmas party of 2005, Surgeon had already teached us a lesson of excellency in terms of avant-garde abstract minimal Techno, but nothing compared to what he would do on his second tour in Brazil in february 2007, when Surgeon played in the official ouverture of the new Clash Club acclaimed by the high demanding Brazilian audiences for a Techno set on Friday and a multi-style set on Saturday.

This second repertory is the one that caught every single mind there without warning on a deep musical trip without frontiers; it included amazing Electro timeless pieces such as ‘West Street Mob – Breakdance – Electric Boogie’ (inspired on The Incredible Bongo Band – Apache break beats), as well as Sunnyview essential “Jam On It” by Newcleus, and the fundamental “Al Naafiysh” by Hashim, the landmark of Cutting, among other; the challenging Breaks made also part of Anthony Child’s selection, some of them very complex. Meat Beat Manifesto – “Radio Babylon” that included the essential Jamaican acappella (also present on Ital Rockers – “Ital’s Anthem (Trebledown Bassup Mix)”) - “Rhythim’a full’a cultch’a yaaa!” - mixed with an amazing old school track that sampled the famous Break line from The Winstons – “Amen Brother” responsible for many of the Jungle & Drum n’ Bass classics) was another moment worthy of mentionning; most of all Surgeon knew how to create a ‘story’ by changing the atmosphere and the rhythm constantly, mixing the Jamaican Dub with Electro and Techno, Breaks with House and several other combinations possible. The classical House tunes like Jamie Principle – “Your Love” and “Promised Land” by Joe Smooth were played, as well as the Techno funky influenced such as Orlando Voorn’s ‘Fix – Flash’ that sampled George Clinton’s P-Funk All Stars – “Hydraulic Pump”. For those who knew Anthony Child for his unique albums and Techno sets, it was all surprise, no matter what we thought about his musical formation. An example of how far you can go as long as you like good music.

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