Cup of ethno, container of techno and Russian radio

I was standing there, trying to choose a techno/trance album to buy. Most of the names did not tell me anything. I definitely should’ve stick to Underworld, but in the last minute I saw Ethnotechno. Wow! What a name, thought Finn. She did not think twice. The word “ethno” has become the password to Finn’s soul four years ago and “techno” is the key to her energy on the everyday basis.

I must’ve been under the cover’s curse, because knowing nothing about the album, knowing no names of the performers I still bought it. I thought, what the heck, it is mix of techno songs and world ethnic music. Finn found that combination reasonable enough to buy the album.

I put on the CD and the first theme “intro” made me laugh. Someone is tuning the radio and all kinds of broadcasts from all kind of countries are on. What made Finn laugh? There were two Russian things in it: first one, the voice was talking about the defenders of the White House [it’s either August 1991 or October 1993 when a lot of crap was going in Moscow] and in the very last one on the intro is the very famous in Russia jingle from the radio station “Mayak” [Beacon], even if you don’t listen to that radio but you’re Russian, then you know that jingle for sure.

I’m not going to bore you by getting into the insights of every single track, writing out which note came after which one, what instrumental party comes after the African kids stop singing; I’m not saying the lyrics for folk songs. And all that for one major reason: because I don’t know. Album is a pretty much solid work, done in an interesting style that sure deserves your attention [and I’m not saying that to make me feel better on this basically unnecessary purchase].

Is this music techno? Sure, it is. Great pure techno samples are really strong, especially in the beginning of the album [pure means no “ethno” part]. As the album proceeds the music is getting diverse.

Is this album a real “ethnotechno” as I assumed buying the disc? Er, yes and no. First off, No! This album is basically overwhelmed with traditional techno and ethnic element is not that strong. Listening to it twice Finn had a hard time understanding the title. Besides it was really hard to determine the origin of the strange sounds or singing [and that was getting annoying]. Classical techno female voice also did not contribute too much to the exotic ethnic sound Finn expected.

When I got used to the idea that this is not what I really wanted and meant to buy I enjoyed the album better. Technically, don’t expect too much and you will like it. Some samples are really cool. Like in the first track, for example, you get forty six seconds of chilling radio air from all over the world. Also, guessing game is as exciting as the disc itself. I’m going to write down couple of guesses of mine as I found no references in web.

In the second track, Alash (When I Graze My Beautiful Sheep) - Juno Reactor, in the very beginning you hear another Russian voice from the news program saying something irrelevant; psychedelic electronic sound for six minutes interferes with the voice of an undefined origin. First I thought it belonged to an Australian aborigine, but then the Russian voice on the radio would’ve been even more irrelevant, so I decided he was a Russian Chukcha. Nonetheless, it’s all was really cool. Great house music especially in the middle of the track justified the purchase.

The third track R.S.D. - Sabres Of Paradise reminded me jingles for the TV shows about the unknown parts of the world. It has sounds that strongly associate with South America. El Ritmo Barbaro – Ramirez has a typical “running” techno in it. Just like on the most electronic albums, there is found at least one track that somehow would remind me of “Run Lola Run”. This is the one. Also, male Hispanic voice strongly reminded me Rodriguez in Equador - Sash!.

Limbo – Sandoz is a wonderful electronic track with probably an Indian [Native American?] singing back vocal [*grin*]. I’m really not sure who sings it, but that was my original thought. This is my third most favorite track on the album.

A.K.A. Electric - Steel Porn Rhino has kids singing in the background all the time. That makes this trance track sound not only really cool, but just the way I expected the whole “ethnotechno” to sound. This time singing has northern origin, it can be American, European or Asian. Second place.

And the lucky winner is… Definitely the best track, the strongest of all, amazing electronic sound and a true meaning of “ethnotechno” is a trance track beyond my expectations, Algiers – Jonah, that is. This song has male group singing and clapping with energy and beat of a march. I could not understand the words though; maybe you’ll be luckier. Orient instrumental samples are fabulous. This track is the pearl of the collection.

Overall: it’s not really “ethnotechno” but techno is really good and ethnic samples are amazingly beautiful. So, I guess it is ethnotechno… ugh! Those who are into electronic acts will love it. At least Finn and I did.

Track Listing:

1. Intro
2. Alash (When I Graze My Beautiful Sheep) - Juno Reactor
3. R.S.D. - Sabres Of Paradise
4. El Ritmo Barbaro - Ramirez
5. N428 - UTU
6. Limbo - Sandoz
7. A.K.A. Electric - Steel Porn Rhino
8. Ethnologik - Mere Mortals
9. 90 Days - Moody Boyz
10. Tenskwa Tawa - Total Eclipse
11. Algiers - Jonah
12. Waiting For The Lights - High Lonesome Sound System (Mandalay mix)