Before one begins on this chromatic voyage into the world of Slime Code, it is important to appreciate the journey the record has taken, too. It began life as a live recording, orchestrated by Dan Hayhurst and visual artist Reuben Sutherland, aka Sculpture, on July 1, 2011. The resonance produced was recorded through an 8-track tape player which was then compiled on unique c20 dubs. A digital edit was assembled from this, which lead to the visceral Slime Code.
Released on patten’s Kaleidoscope label, Slime Code is a half an hour recording of cosmic, worldly electronics. The record takes no rational direction; it meanders about, furiously changing route, then twisting back on itself. Every time one gets comfortable with the direction, you are abruptly transported into another dimension, starting the journey again in a new extrinsic realm. It’s a fully absorbing record, with some dazzling rhythms that are displaced in-between the jungle of primitive electronics, which sound a like early BBC Radiophonic explorations. The piece ends with a distinct tribal rhythm that brings you out of your astral trance with a jolt. It’s a journey well worth the ride.
Slime Code has now been re-released on vinyl by Digitalis. Get it over at Boomkat now. Highly recommended.