Released
1999

Label
Recordings
Of Substance

Reviewed by
Kim Alexander

Visit
James Hardway

Distributed by
Hydrogen Dukebox
and
Dutch East India Trading


Last Edit/Update
12 October, 1999

Magnetic

A La Magnetica

Track Listing

1. Takeshi Beats
2. W99
3. Virus
4. Glaubst Du Mir
5. Hostile
6. Harsh Life
7. Throwing G's On All 4's
8. Kathies Dead
9. Cheap Detective
10. Black Spot In A Dark Cloud
11. Bull Roaring

All titles written & produced by David Harrow (aka James Hardway). Recorded using an Apple G3 Powerbook, with Cubase 4. Recycle and Rebirth mixed on Sony headphones in hotels, airports and on trains during 1998.

    Most certainly ensconced in Drum & Bass, James Hardway of Magnetic brings us a wide array of textures and rhythms on his premiere release, "A La Magnetica." Spicey short drifts in melodic ambience and spurts of electronic fx combine in the background with rich outstanding loops of snappy drum and persuasive bass lines. Most of the tempo on this release is really *fast*...not *too* fast to dance, as you could dance 'inbetween' to the 2:4. I wonder if this wouldn't be more of a *rave* or house techno/drum & bass type of thing, that is, some of the tracks you might hear at a rave or house electro festival, as the beats are oftentimes doubled and tripled within themselves, speedy stuff!
    For those of you who are DJ's into spinning this sort of music, A La Magnetica was released on a limited double vinyl edition. I think the steady rhythms and bass lines would be excellent for spinning/mixing live.