Chris McCormack – Locked

Like most other disciplines you'd file as art, music is a highly intimate and subjective experience. So much so, that our own enthusiasm and determination to promote the "the real stuff" at times borders harassment, if not self-conceit. But that just might be an indication as to how much does it reach out and touch us, the listeners, on an emotional level. How much can a mixture of sounds deliver without adhering to any particular linguistic landscape.

That said, being passionate about music has its ups and downs. You see superstardom reached by artists that aren't worth a dime in your book and see childhood heroes end up in bargain bins. As with all hobbies, or any activity we pursue during free time, this, let's call it lack of fairness, can be quite a thorn in one's side. Why? Mainly, because people, being what we are like, are very reluctant to give up on their convincements and the "righter-than-thou" knowledge dropping that frequently intensifies with age and experience. Which is understandable.

When you are passionate and committed to something, it is very hard to narrow down, not to say oversimplify, the importance of music in one's life with a simple connotation along the lines of "one man's trash is another man's treasure".

That is probably the basic principle that sends your most cherished records to oblivion while simultaneously enabling releases one considers subpar to fetch vertiginous prices on the second hand market. But then again, what is a vertiginous price for a record? Because, if we play a record inside a room, and my ears say trash while yours proudly exclaim treasure, there will never be a price tag to it that would make us call it a day through mutual satisfaction. It all goes back to the same issue: If I hear a classic and you swear your ear lobes are being raped by artificially designed percussion patterns, what would make one opinion outweigh the other? What makes one listener credible and the other not?

All that said, I still do not understand how there are still ten copies of this record for sale? I'm pissing down my own throat, but every time my hand reaches out to grab it off the shelf, so much connects. We are back to 2005. Loopy tribalism and street carnival techno is a thing of the past. At the scene's forefront, there is a new wave of young DJs ready to hit a retirement home, with musical output as exhilarating as the snail Olympics, 400 yard run. The vinyl renaissance is a wishful dream reserved for minds of fanatical optimists. Identity, diversity and versatility are replaced by a universal techno sound equation most would adhere to. Then, the record goes under the needle. The power of music shines through. Because all the brief flashbacks I get are consumed by the one of a kind, mammoth determination of the first track. You hear it you know it. Techno. Fresh, brave, adventurous and frenzied. Loud and proud. Then you see that the winds of change so many call for today have come over a decade ago. Chris McCormack is one of the perhaps dozen producers this scene has ever had, that can actually substantiate their claim of constantly pushing the envelope with some serious rock solid evidence.

This, arguably the pinnacle of his career, and if you've been through the opus, you know how bald of a statement that is, goes head first against the dullness and the formulaic productions that just about drained the scene from within.
As far as I am concerned, this 12" contains everything that made us techno converts pulled off to perfection. It's unpredictable, visceral, outlandish and restrained when it needs a breath. It's brilliantly produced and it stands out, with no competition of any sort (as far as my house is concerned), well above three quarters of what I'd rate as excellent. Pointless to dub it one of the best, but most definitely in my top ten list of the last 20 years. To my ears, this epitomizes treasure. To somebody else, the opposite.

Rejoice that we as individuals are so different from each other. Because this diversity means that there are people who, due to their own musical paths, decided not to go with this. It is precisely their course of action you should thank. Because, if you are into techno, and are willing to explore the genre, then there's still about ten opportunities to embark. Absolute classic of a masterful release.

This shit is banging reminds me of scalameriya and bmb. What a sad story💔

What is this? Can't believe my ears! This is... something else. Thank you Chris, you made my day.

Chris is amazing in his unique and forward thinking work. Great Ep. Great mastering engineer too.

Chris himself is not at all happy with this. Its taken from a private mail between him and acquaintance ,who copy/pasted this and before you know it ...it spread like a virus Bad!!

This is the absolute TOP of techno! There are not much producers who are able to make such a fine and complex record as this. Too bad Chris McCormack said that he wanted to stop producing after releasing this record.

Qoute from chris McCormack from www.blackoutaudio.co.uk, 17-06-2005 :

"Techno is in a mess. I tried my best to push things on and make a change. I got many mails from people telling me the recent Locked E.P was one the best records in techno in a long time, but when that record actually loses you money things have to stop. And when that record is Locked, personally the best record I have ever made, something has gone very wrong.

I am very sad that ultra safe records with bongos and zero talent are what makes techno tick these days. And to those who are making it, if you have something to say with music, then **** say it instead of rolling out another stupid stolen loop or a stab sound from 1990.

The music I hear today is boring, formulaic, and quite abusive to any self respecting music head like myself. I am tired of it and for me there is no more left to say.

I was never in this “game” for money, I did it for the love, as long as the music got out there and it didnt end up costing me to do it, that was all I needed. I am pleased to say my life moves on unlike many in techno.

I want to thank so many people who have supported me over the years – I really appreciate and understand your frustrations with what techno has become.

I have tried to make available as much of the back cat I could find for online purchase so that those who continue to email asking where they can get my records now at least have an opportunity to get hold of them even if they are only mp3’s. You can try www.djdownload.com or www.beatport.com . I’m sorry I couldn’t just offer them on my own website for free but I simply don’t have the space or time to manage such a thing.

I wish all music heads and techno spotters the best and hope techno will find its way again someday.

All the best, Chris."

A masterpiece. No question about it... Fresh, exciting, inspiring and absolutely pounding stuff.

This is what techno is about.

This is easily Chris best release to date. Two thumping techno (A1, B1), one broken techno and an electro track for an all rounded ten out of ten effort. The two techno numbers are varied in the synth overlay after the breakdown. Then you have a nice mellow electro workout, saving your juice for the track of sin - "Angered", I will be struggling if I ever attempt to describe such a twisted belter. Just close your eyes and imagine the world is about to end by an alien invasion, at least you would have a pretty decent background music to die with.