He's dropped the S!
Artist: STEWART WALKER Title: DEGENERATE Label: PERSONA Format: 12" Cat. no.: PRS-008 Release date: 16/12/02 Stewart Walker has been a player in the electronic music scene since 1997, when his first 12", 'Amphetamine Sulphate', was picked up by Sean Deason's Matrix imprint. Stewart's path into music grew from an early obsession with British bands such as My Bloody Valentine and Lush, although an avid interest in the British music press steered Walker's interest towards early electronic pioneers like 808 State and LFO - and the output of the fledgling Warp and Rephlex labels, amongst others. His eyes opened to this proto-techno sound, and early forays into music production followed, along with a growing awareness of US based artists pursuing a similar direction. Following a handful of single releases, Stewart's debut album - the tonal, groove-orientated 'Stabiles' - was picked up for release on Mille Plateau. For many, this was seen as Walker's entrance to the world stage. His work continued, gracing labels internationally, including Force Inc., M_Nus, Tresor, Rampe D, Tektite and Mosquito, but it wasn't until 2001 that he established the 'Persona' label, where his production style came into it's own. Stewart's sound matured - taking on an increased intricacy with the addition of new sonic layers. The label also came with a new agenda: Metaphors of machines were once necessary to discuss electronic music. In 2001 we are no longer 'the robots.' Instead, techno has become the most personal form of expression in today's musical spectrum. One person. One studio. Customizing rhythms and sounds that honestly represent his or her vision. Persona Records is about rebirth. Consider the history of electronic music but with no greater emphasis than the history of all music. The sealing of the 20th century archives allows us closure. Perspective. As the distance increases and our memories convert to fiction, new mutations of the form will arise. A1. Dead People Fight Back Kicking off with an almost two step flavour, this extremely melodic track has plenty of elements to get your ears round, without being awkwardly challenging. A2. Instrumental's Greatest Hits Stewart takes us on a slow stroll through some deep bass textures and subterranean static. A more restrained, home-listening ambiance. B1. Mysterious Rural Past More uptempo and techy, but still swimming in a dublike atmosphere, and a structure caught in a tug of war between the linear and an offstep skank. B2. Leaf Cutter's Practice A straight 4/4 piece but, as with the rest of the work on this 12", it possesses a subdued quality which steers it away from more traditional club material.
