Stockholm Cyclo – Beginning People (Cuadra)

Alexander Ståhle produces music in an invigorating style that is probably best
described as broken techno.  Combining precise technoid chords with an offbeat
and varied percussive section, this talented Swede’s tracks sound like a
meeting between Derrick May and West London’s Bugz.  “Music Is All This”
features the vocals of Gustaf Karlöf, who praises the joys of aural
compositions alongside merged mesmerising chords and a digitised twisting
bass.  “Face” featuring M. Elino sees sprightly broken electroid percussion and
an overflowing bass back vocals attempting to come to terms with the power of
physical attraction.  The ‘Raw Jazz Take’ of “Noisuf” is a wonderfully jagged
instrumental, with sharp chords, looped up sax echoes and a whole drum kit
worth of percussion.  Innovative and impressive, this album is worth searching
for.

Jon Freer