Ellery Cowles - Sonic Control
Reissues come in one or two forms. It could be a classic music industry crash grab of a popular artist's record reissued maybe a year or two after the initial release or the much more celebrated move where a much-beloved classic from any number of years ago is brought back for the enjoyment of a new dancing generation. The latter seems more appropriate in the case of Ellery Cowles's Sonic Control. Sonic Control originally came out on Djax-Up-Beats Records back in 1995 but was marked for re-release by Synchrophone earlier in the year, and I have to say I'm glad it was.
Sonic Controls is a flavorful 90s record with no right to release in 95. It stands up even now, being so futuristic and ahead of its time that it sounds brand new today despite its age. It seems producers have reached a singularity where plugins and modern equipment are so crisp that some of their tangible humanity has been lost. These days, artists look backwards, whether by using analogue gear, investing in plugins that emulate the more unstable nature of vintage equipment or running the mixes through colourful saturation effects. Amazingly, Ellery Cowles seemed to be one step ahead as what once were limitations have become character.
Crystal-clear percussion lays a beautiful foundation throughout the record. The samples may seem simplistic by today's standards, but they also refrain from sounding overproduced. For instance, the kick is punchy and driving, not buried in the rumbling bass or having its energy supped by overzealous leads. Whistles, snare rolls, and one-note pads aren't typically seen as high fidelity, and the admittedly retro sounds on Sonic Control open up the possibilities for the imagination and are vital in making an audience move.
Simplicity is the aim of the game on this one, and although that may be down to limitations of the past, there's something for producers to learn from. From the outset of the track 'It's Taking Control', the deep house grooves propel the truck forward as Cowles fills the space between kicks and claps with funky baselines and sensual pads. There's heaps of creativity all over the minimalistic productions, allowing 'Opcode' and the title track 'Sonic Control' to fly off the handles with machine funk-inspired riffs that sound like the mainframes malfunctioning. Tension continuously rises through abundant snare rolls as dissonant chips and beeps fill the frequency range.
It's the last two tracks where you really hear that the record is a product of the 90s. 'Paralellematrix' and 'Transient' embody that Underground Resistance style. They bring fun energy and a bit of soul, being the most musical of the tracks. What Synchrophone have done with this one is bring that old edge back for new audiences. We often find an antiquated necessity for music knowledge can supersede music enjoyment. While it's important to know where your music comes from, the influences, the legends, the great tunes, you should look into that because you want to, not because it's a prerequisite, so when labels do release these classics, it's a win-win for everyone. I'd recommend going out and picking this one up while you can, especially as it's on a new limited blue marbled vinyl.
Tracklist:
It's Taking Control
Opcode
Sonic Control
Paralellematrix
Transient
Label: Synchrophone (2024)
Ellery Cowles - Sonic Control
