Andrew Cox – Past Imperfect

Compilation of early synth/tape works from the British soundscaper and former member of obscure experimental act MFH, who eventually morphed into the equally enigmatic Pump. Cox recorded many of these pieces on a single synth, but he exacted a broad range of noises & motifs, usually the hallmark of someone being quite adept and imaginative on their instrument. There's lots of variety here too—minimalism this sure as hell isn't, as Cox realizes a plethora of ideas and sonic imagery. The opening "Arioch" is a tidy exercise in mild, pre-Merzbowian blip 'n' distortion, but the subsequent "The Bridge At Evening" is a simply wondrous bit of modular sound-sculpting, as Cox revels in the patchchord potpourri that yields so many of his arresting aural colors. Further pieces explore 'ambience' ("In Passing" being one of the best examples), while the later works reveal someone whose skill and proficiency rank right up there with any of his then-contemporaries (Noise-Maker's Fifes, Nigel Ayers, Robin Storey, Steven Stapleton). That Cox never received his due is a real shame; this collection is a mad rush of surreal, shifting tableaux that is never less than fascinating. A must for those predisposed to the glorious synth operators of decades past responsible for work that was utterly indifferent to style, pigeonholing, or categorizing.