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From: Dr.Walsh
Date: 27 Mar 2002
Time: 02:49:37
Remote Name: 203.108.191.39
The following review of 'Opti Buk' written by myself is now on quality Australian dance music web-site: www.inthemix.com.au - check it out!
808 STATE - OPTI BUK A well-timed DVD release from Manchester (Englands') musical pioneers/acid house heroes featuring 17 videos (from 1989-1996), live footage from the seminal Manchester 'Turbo Rave' in 1991, a 'home movie' section and a discography. There is also a limited edition CD 'State to State Vol 2', which features deep, funky, chunky techno and breaks and is an excellent 'filler' for fans waiting for their eagerly anticipated new album.
The DVD is a good insight into a band who have had a huge influence on dance music. Incorporating aspects of Detroit techno, Chicago house and hip hop into their own unique sound, they were one of the first dance 'bands' whose live shows married dance culture with a more traditional rock show. Their music and philosophy inspired and helped pave the way for the likes of Underworld, The Prodigy, The Chemical Brothers, Orbital, Bjork and The Aphex Twin, although 808 were generally less well-known through retaining a more 'underground' profile.
The 17 videos include 'Pacific', their timeless anthem from '89 which is currently experiencing fresh exposure through a new market of old school compilations (and was recently remixed by house maestro Danny Tenaglia) and 'Olympic', a tune they wrote for Manchesters' 2000 Olympic bid. They are well-known for their open-minded attitude towards working with artists from many genres, and here are featured collaborations with Manic Street Preachers vocalist James Dean Bradfield on 'Lopez', Louise Rhodes from Lamb on the sublime 'Azura', reggae band UB40 on the classic 'One In Ten' and a tour around Iceland with Bjork.
The 808 vibe is a fun one with a global outlook and a general philosophy of not taking yourself too seriously and their twisted, tongue-in-cheek, semi-ironic Mancunian sense of humour occurs frequently.
All in all, an essential release for any dance music enthusiast.
I ordered my copy over the internet from the 'Zang Tuum Shop' at the ZTT records web-site @: www.ztt.com and it arrived very promptly. Further details on 808 State @: www.808state.com
Look out for a new album from 808 titled 'Transmission Outpost' on Circus Records in May.
Note: The DVD does not feature any material from their ground-breaking 1988 release 'Newbuild' as it was released on a different label. 'Newbuild' came no26 in Muzik magazines' recent poll of top dance albums of all time with the comment "the original acid house album and still the best".
Rave safe, Dr.Walsh