Squarepusher – Solo Electric Bass 1

If the world didn’t already recognise Tom 'Squarepusher' Jenkinson for the phenomenal bassist he is, then this record should consolidate that reputation. Recorded at the Cité de la Musique, in Paris September 2007, and without so much as a compressor in sight, Jenkinson took to the stage with only a six-string bass and an amp before proceeding to shit bass for a full 40 minutes. All 12 compositions presented here are self-written, except for the shortened rendition of Jimi Hendrix’s 'Castles made of sand' which crops up during ‘S.E.B. 8”² which is delivered in his own inimitable fashion. Furious flurried slaps, pops, trills and chords are all part of Jenkinson’s signature style and there is ample opportunity to sample that here.Like many of the best instrumental records committed to tape by virtuosos, there is space for mood and reflection as well as rapt excitement. Primarily using the medium of jazz modes and scales, Jenkinson’s output can sometimes be deemed self-indulgent, but there is substantial emotion behind his playful, dancing fingerwork; an emotion that is mostly misconstrued as anger on his Squarepusher records as he mashes the Amen break beyond recognition. For the listener that revels in the blistering beats and squeaks that usually erupt from Jenkinson’s computer, this record may perhaps not be the one to spark their fuse. Similarly, Solo Electric Bass 1 is not solely for the aural appreciation of bass and jazz purists who nod their head, eyes closed, swaying gently to the sounds of Les Claypool, Geddy Lee or even Billy Sheehan.Demonstrating an intuitive ability to switch styles, he touches on flamenco on the uplifting ‘S.E.B. 3”² and ‘S.E.B. 4”² before sliding into some blissful two-handed tapping techniques that bring guitarist Stanley Jordan to mind. Undoubtedly influenced by legends Stanley Clarke, Victor Wooten and Jaco Pastorius (who also covered Hendrix tunes live), Jenkinson shreds the fretboard with equal amounts of glee and passion.Too often, the trouble with live recordings is an overly vocal audience but thankfully, aside from an isloated cough, this audience in Paris manage to retain a respectful silence throughout the playing, saving collective praises for the breaks between pieces.It’d be easy to write this album off as a supreme, self-indulgent wankfest but that’s to misunderstand the nature of Solo Electric Bass 1. This is a seminal, iconic performance by one of the leaders of contemporary dance music, one that could bring the frequently and incorrectly derided bass guitar to the attention of a new audience. With only a limited 850 CD copies scheduled for production, preorder now. 90%