Search - Takeshi Muto :: Expect More From a Past Life

High quality electronic listening

Matthew D. Mercer | Chicago, IL United States | 07/18/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Takeshi Muto is actually the alias of Romulo Del Castillo, a.k.a. one half of the Miami-based outfit Phoenicia. It is not surprising that some of the signature ticki-ticki percussion sounds that permeate a lot of the Phoenicia tracks I've heard appear here as well (those who've heard it will know what I mean).This release is a must have for those like myself who don't have access to the Schematic vinyl releases (I have no turntable)... although not so essential for those who do. All of the tracks here are taken from four Schematic 12", both from the Takeshi Muto alias as well as the Metic alias. However, it is a testament to the quality of these tracks that they have already aged several years, but still sound right at home next to any of the newer electronic releases I've picked up. Not as crazy as Richard Devine or Otto von Schirach, but slightly more "head-y" than a lot of the earlier Phoenicia/Soul Oddity material.Look out for some amazing artwork courtesy of the Designers Republic on the way in, too."

Manual typewriter

donkeye | all up in your face | 11/16/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"For some reason this is one of the easier Schematic releases to find in my city. It's one of Designer Republic's more incredible designs, to be sure. It's spiffy enough to buy simply for the artwork, which is why I bought it.Plus, the whole connection to Phoenecia was a clincher. The wilfully obscure nature of so much electronic music makes it hard to follow what's a worthwhile cd and what's just another fancy package with a junk for content. The Schematic label is pretty reliable I've noticed, so there's that to consider when looking at Takeshi Muto.The music is not quite as rough and dark as Phoenecia's Brownout. It kind of reminds me of Autechre's Tri Repeatae, in that there's a definite crispness and agility to the sounds. It's complex without getting messy, like for example the recent stuff by Mouse on Mars. No disrespect to MOM, I'm just comparing and contrasting to some of the more well-known groups out there. This is careful, serious stuff.It sort of depends on what kind of mood you're in, whether this one is to be purchased. It's not a ground-breaking album, but neither is it at all derivative. I'm thinking that to buy this album you've got to be in a mood to really be completist in your music collection. You've got to be hungry as heck for electronic music, and wanting to really make sure nothing is left unbought. Welll, I have to cut this review short, now, the Victoria's Secret television special is on and I can't have my hands busy typing."

Soundtrack for your mental activities

L. Jordan Bickel | Austin, TX USA | 02/20/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is glitch music with beats and distortion; a math professor dancing like Christopher Walken. This is not popular music, you need to aquire the ear for it, but once you have, you will be participating in the listening experience and realize its worth every minute. Glitch has its luminaries and notables and Takeshi is not one of them. But with this album he has made a good start and a good addition into a genre worth admiration. He is one half of Miami's Phoenecia, and you can see the beat decomposition and sublte hip hop tint leaking into his solo works here too. Listen to this album when you are actively thoughtful, either while programming or while relaxing at the house in solitude. This is a soundtrack for your mental activities.



Stand-out tracks: "Quiloid", "Fuqpulga", and "Ntak / 7me7a"



(from http://www.eternalplay.com/blogs/music/)"