Label: Biodata
Artist: Various
Release: VA Causa Peruana
URL: http://www.biodata.microbiorecords.net/blog/?cat=2
Rating: 7.3/10

Meridas (Venezuela) Biodata have been established since 2001 knocking out release after release of weird, experimental electronic music. This Sampler gives a good idea of what they are about. The range of music is truly varied, oscillating from the wild, heavily-processed-to-the-point-of-being-borderline-unlistenable 'Codigo ASCOO' by Christina Galarreta to the the slight, clicky atmospherics of Gabriel Castillo, it starts out as it means to go on. Its hard to escape the futility of writing about often other worldly music like this, there's no immediate reference points to fall back on, while the regular framework for criticism doesn't really apply too easily to songs are motivated by different goals. Also, for me, samplers are definitely a case of function over form, and in some ways this is suitable for the biodata ethos, as the basic thread that links these tracks is, quite simply, uniqueness and experimentation as against genre or sound. As mentioned, the scope and range of tracks on this LP are huge. Obviously some of the experiments cover ground that has been charted before over years, and others you feel are perhaps better understood by the processes in which they were made rather than by their end result.

The acts represented on this release could be broken up into two different camps based on approach and output. The noisy, digital overdrive of acts like Godinez, Jab Lemur and Rolando Apolo are highly impressive as sound design pieces, especially Godinez's 'el rincon de box' which mangles a live bass and presents it in an unexpected way. Ramping the volume up and down, its nightmarish and suffocating with beats that are more suggested than heard, its a complete mess really, but absolutely compelling. Lemur and Rolando tap into the same vein with their tracks, which might be considered more abstruse than the others, their sound design proving really affecting and discomforting. Similar in theme, and a contender for the albums stand out is 'Metastatis Tubulares'. Its one of the albums more paranoid work outs; a violin as the centrepiece, spitting out a creepy discordant melody, then when an second violin accompanies it, its so disorientating but listenable that when it closes with an odd pan pipe and man talk-rapping it seems entirely reasonable.

Another camp could be the softer more ambient and effectively less intense end. Omar Lavalle and Naiadra Muriantica provide ambient soundscapes which drift along competently, if unspecularly, before Muriantica's '03 (Arcadia Archaea)' takes a left turn with a truly sinister ending. Wilder Gonazalez provides the samplers closer with a nice, yet somewhat unmemorable wrap up. 'Dectrogeno' by Terocal's soft melody and prominent toms glisten in clean production which allows lots of space and reflection before an outstanding clippy end.

However, what really cement this samplers memorable singularity are a collection of tracks that really stand out on their own due to a mix of different elements. There is a salsa feeling to Pulso Adolescente's upbeat and playful rhythms while Lujan crosses a phone call with a salsa groove to created a strange atmospheric piece that works in a weird way that it really shouldn't. Similar to these in scope are Kollantes and Ticas respective contributions 'Liberenatahualpa' and 'Pajaros De Miel Con Un Cielo Adentro'. 'Liberenatahualpa' is one of the more coherent moments on the album, with first rate and precise beats accompanying a soft organic melody, it is soft and beautiful with crisp production. 'Pajaros De Miel Con Un Cielo Adentro' might be the most accessible of the samplers tracks but it too shimmers with uniqueness. Tica supplies a touching melodic line that is so dreamlike and haunting before a soft whispered voice pushes it to a late night emotional breaking point. It is nothing but delicate and perfect.

An excellent release by an interesting label with one eye on the future and the other on pushing the envelope.