Shobaleader One
Elektrac

LA RECENSIONE

In the artistic field, when the musical proposal is subtle and enigmatic, usually so is the image of its creator.

Shobaleader One is clearly a moniker of Squarepusher, more precisely, a collective of musicians composed of Tom and the fictitious names of:

Strobe Nazard (keyboards),

Company Laser (percussion),

Arg Nution (guitars).

After the true album d'Demonstrator from 2010 — with that old-fashioned immediacy in Moroder style — here comes Elektrac (same artwork with masks and hoods as the previous one, which feels very futuristic gang-like).

During the seven years of putting the project aside, Squarepusher has released albums and EPs (the guy is as prolific and inspired as they come).

Can Elektrac be considered a best of? In my opinion, yes, and it's a great best of, too.

I approached his music precisely with this album (it's a live one) that includes in its tracklist the most famous pieces from the nineties to today.

It's pointless to dwell on their genesis or description; they must be assimilated and listened to in their entirety. The difference obviously lies in their execution (the five stars are well deserved).

The bass lines are eccentric, the percussion is clear, and the free jazz nature. Because if jazz means something, that something is undoubtedly freedom. The most experimental Miles Davis would have undoubtedly appreciated it.

Lambic 5 Poetry is the least restless and is my favorite composition because it gives you all the time to appreciate its structure.

For those like me who have recently discovered the world of Tom Jenkinson or would like to, I recommend Elektrac, labeled by trusted Warp Records.