Back in the day (say, 1989 or so), the most exciting producers on the planet were the Bomb Squad. Led by Hank and Keith Shocklee and Eric Sadler, these guys created a sonic palette that remains unequaled. They would incorporate dozens of samples in a single song, often using just one note or even a sound--bits and pieces of "Don't Worry Be Happy" are omnipresent on Fear of a Black Planet. Alas, copyright lawsuits ended that particular use of sound, as it is economically unfeasable to pay performance royalties to dozens of people for a single song. And that's why, for me, nothing can touch that era of collage production.

Reichenhall Hunt & Lore (self-released)

But Bernhard Wostheinrich and Lukas Radiomodul (who together are Reichenhall) are trying their best. Every sound on this album has been harvested from somewhere else. Unlike the Bomb Squad, these pieces have been so thoroughly deconstructed that all references to their past lives has been erased. Those electronic bleeps and blurbs have been shaken, stirred and poured into a zesty Krautrock broth.

Despite the nature of the recordings, this isn't particularly experimental. The songs are playful, bounding about in a universe of their own choosing. A bit abstract at times, I suppose, but hardly abstruse. An affection for late 70s/early 80s techno isn't required, but it certainly would aid in the appreciation.

One of the things I like most about this style is the way that it can both foster introspection and invigoration. Reichenhall might assemble its sounds in an unusual (and probably far-too-complicated) manner, but the end results are fabulous. The sounds may be a bit cool to the touch, but the interior atmosphere is warm and cosy.

Jon Worley