I've been in an old-school mood lately for some reason and have picked up
more vintage singles and albums than new ones the last month or so. I'm not
sure why that is… feeling nostalgic I suppose. So when I heard I'd have the
opportunity to review the latest in a series of classic compilations from
Trax Records, I was stoked. To be quite honest though, I had never heard of
the artist – Armando. Apparently while I was still in elementary school,
Mr. Armando was busy becoming an acid-house pioneer in the Windy City.
The linear notes say that he fed "the fire that led to the U.K.'s acid-house
explosion," with his single Land of Confusion. The track is what one would
expect from the genre – simple flanging and filtered basslines amid a basic
4x4 beat. Maybe it's this approach to music that I've needed. Simplicity
is hard to find among today's anthematic pop remixes.
Packed with sixteen acid-filled tracks, you'll need a Rolaid to stomach them all down. This isn't for the faint of heart though; it will probably only be enjoyed by a seasoned veteran of house culture.
