Search - Electronic Eye, Richard H. Kirk :: Closed

Another in a line of electronic masterpieces from RH Kirk's

John Mellberg | Racine, WI United States | 12/11/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Let's start by divulging my inate bias towards all things RH Kirk/Cabaret Voltaire. Electronic Eye's 1994 release was the first of Kirk's under this psuedonym following the dissolution of CV. It is so impossibly rare that, prior to it's arrival at my doorstep, I had only seen the double vinyl version (when new, at a long defunct recordstore in Kenosha) in the flesh once. At the time I had other priorities and didn't snatch it up, much to my later chagrin. 12 years later I finally procured this masterpiece of electronica from a fine chap in Ireland.



At any rate, it did not disappoint, coming as a two disc set with over 2 hours of brain-bending, mind altering, tribalistic, progressive trance. Influences span the spaces between latin dance music, house, dub reggae, experimental electronic music, found sound, and african talking drums. Of course given it's temporal proximity and origins, it has a rather obvious correlation to the final CV releases; 'the Conversation', 'Plasticity', and 'International Language'; sharing many motifs and compositional devices. 'Closed Circuit' feels like an early evolutionary step for RH, post Voltaire. It's incredible and representative of what may be considered the peak in his creative output. '94 was a busy year for Kirk, with releases under a myriad of alter egos; Sandoz, Sweet Exorcist, Nitrogen, Dark Magus, et al. I was really excited to finally get this!

I can't recommend this release highly enough."