Theo Parrish: Parallel Dimensions
Label: Ubiquity

Theo Parrish is one of the most important figures in electronic music; coming out of Detroit, his work is mentioned alongside legends like Juan Atkins, Carl Craig, etc. This is not your standard club house/techno fare - Theo does not adhere to any standard formula for dance music. There is a minimalist approach to the tracks; the loops are thoughtful and mesmerizing, the simple melodies catch you & lose you, and the beats break down here, pick up there. This sound has best described as the Detroit "beat-down" sound - a completely different take on "techno" - one that is much more thoughtful and substantive. Nothing on this CD is faster than maybe 125bpm - but every beat is solid, every breakdown is breathless. I love this CD. Try it all. My favorites are: 2,3,5,8,9.

1. funky horn loop comin' in & out - beat slows mysteriously & breaks down
2. water-y ambience, a lovely piano melody loops in; a thumpin' beat w/ nice breakdowns
3. a slow deep beat, exotic ambience, mesmerizing in its minimalist approach
4. minimal techno framework here - an insistent sax loop takes you out
lush synthesizer floats around, thick bassy beats, a snare snaps away
5. more abstract jazz than techno - slow beats, sax improvisation, variety of vocals & choruses - soulful, smoky, meandering
6. downtempo track featuring some nice vocal loops, piano, and thumpin' broken beats
7. house-y - w/ nice conga breakdowns and a simple but effective piano loop
8. simple loops & hi-hats dropping into deep sexy beats & a bumpin' bassline