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Don’t get the impression that this release has been cobbled together despite the band’s productivity. Anything but as there’s a DVD included with seven videos by some of Toronto’s top film directors. The aquatic dream of ” is particularly effective. The video to ‘Bubbles’ is directed by Steve Hillman and I think it’s the best of the six (others include ‘Car Audio’, which looks like it was shot in Berlin, and ‘Soft Hand Feel’ (flickering season scapes).

So you get the idea, as the videos fit the deep electro techno house downtempo ambient moods. There’s no video to my favourite track, the excited broken percussion of ‘Broken Bedsprings’. The ones that work best musically (and cinematically) are the dubby ambient numbers like the title track and ‘Eagle Sprouts’ (more Tangerine Dream influences going on). Less dreamy is the electro running man heartbeat of the remix of ‘Eagle Sprouts’.

‘Sangria’ starts all quiet and then bursts into a Rhodes-led deep house sound with some bass throb (video suitably psychedelic trance when it gets going). ‘Ascension’ follows this theme but on a dubby Tai Chi tip.

The one I’m not too impressed with is the only vocal track, Musical Snipers. The original version use of a D’n’B flavour is too harsh (like ‘DB8’); a lesson learnt on the ‘Slushy Rhythm version’ that is so irie indeed; hints of a little indo-jazz in the ambient smoke (get out ya Rizlas for Raggas And Reflections).

Also on the DVD are iPod ready mp3 files (helpful touch I like) and four remixes, which’ll make it onto a forthcoming 12”.

Jordan Fields Presents 2084 was one of the best albums of last year with its ‘modern’ disco & dub feel. Kinder Atom are more ‘Acid’ and dub but there’s nothing wrong with that. The only gripe is if they want to do D’n’B, should be on a 12” (along with ‘Broken Bedsprings’ that I’m increasingly keen on; very 6DC) and leave the album for some more electro world dub (like the Slonice bonus mix) and slushy rhythm versions. Slow + Slushy is the new Nice + Smooth. Jah!

Kinder Atom: “A fearless local foursome” (Denise Benson, Milk Audio)
Heiki Sillaste
Gerald Belanger (and ‘Unfortunate Sonic Casualties’ on CKLN-FM 88.1)
Christopher Drost
Kris Helstrom (aka Chromosphere)

Hectic Mix nominations: Broken Bedsprings, Ascension, Bubble, Car Audio, Bring The Herbs (Slushy Rhythhm Version)

Released - Kinder Atom - Soft Hand Feel (Nice + Smooth) Cat. No. Nice 0026 Release date: 27th November 2006

Tracklisting CD:
1. Eagle Sprouts
2. Japan Cakes
3. Sangia
4. Bubble
5. Broken Bedsprings
6. DB8
7. Bring The Herb feat. Musical Sniper (Slushy Rhythm Version)
8. Ascension
9. Soft Hand Feel
10. Car Audio

DVD: Videos - Biography - Discography - Photos - Credits
Sangria
Eagle Sprouts
Bubble
Ascension
Car Audio
Soft Hand Feel
Eagle Sprouts (nuwavediskomix)

Bonus Mixes:
11. Eagle Sprouts (nuwavediskomix)
12. Bubble (Jazz House Mix)
13. Bring The Herb feat. Musical Sniper (Original Mix)
14. Bring The Herb feat. Musical Sniper “Slushy” (Slonice Mix)

Links:
www.nicesmooth.com