Access Tonal Communications

REVIEWS

Peppermint Iguana
www.peppermintiguana.co.uk
This is the sort of music you can’t explain, either you understand it, or you don’t. We can imagine it being played at ear splitting volume in some darkened squat with people stood around nodding appreciatively and grinning at each other, communicating with the eyes without saying a word, just sipping on water and nodding their heads.

Yes, it is pretty full on. Hardcore, but not quite gabba. Dark mean and moody back to basic electronic dance music that stretches back to the heady days of the old skool acid house and forward in time with slight hints of dubstep in there somewhere.

There are very few ‘lyrics’ on here, but those that are dropped in hint at a rebellious nature. “We are the government, and you’re not”, states Electro job Seeker; “it is because young people use drugs that they are illegal, but because older people vote and hold the government to account, their drugs are legal” is the appropriate start for ‘Stealing a nation’. Actually, the more we think about it, it is quite a thought provoking album; Bob Dylan for the Acid House generation? Not quite, but it’s a nice thought. There are numbers that refer to Anarchy and Cardiff, so they must be cool!

Buzz Magazine
Previously I did not own a CD featuring the title Cardiff Electro Bass. Now I do. Three instant stars for the Hidden Persuader. He and his chums in the Access Tonal Communications collective have busted their ass over the last few years to make CF's one-eyed dance muppets care about ripping Drexciyan electrofunk like this (and sneaked some Indymedia-type leftie polemic into the package to boot). Gradually, it has taken root, to the extent that ATC serves as a trademark of quality. **** NG

Kruger Magazine
www.krugermagazine.com
The secretive electronica label Access Tonal Communications is a goldmine for quality underground techno, and this release is among their best.

All intelligent melodies, subliminal political messages the label is famed for, wonky offbeats and fat thundering basslines. Staying just leftfield of the mark throughout, they've got the zoned out, druggy, driving electro techno drone down to a tee.

Having said that, it's the tripped out, half-tempo block party hip hop breakdowns with the skewered vocals that provide some of best bits. With song titles Cardiff Electro Bass and Electro Job Seeker it's nice to see the overtly political can also have a bit of a sense of humour.
Pounding, powerful, and pure 4am: just the way we like it. www.rewirethefuture.com for more. HP