Minotaur Shock - Rinse
[Melodic]

Three years back, a vinyl only EP entitled 'Bagatelle' was released on burgeoning new Manc based label Melodic, winning immediate fans. Compiled for those of us who may not have witnessed the birth of the Minotaur Shock, 'Rinse' is a retrospective of the early works - the 'Bagatelle' and 'Motoring Britain' EP's, 3 previously unreleased numbers & the more recent 'Rockpoolin' track.

It is at the great higher temple of electronica that Mr Edwards worships, seeking solace & sanctuary. He transfers into his expertly crafted hard to categorise music. The attention to detail & perfectionist attitude to creating tracks comes across clear as crystal. Every minute detail tweaked & pre-prepared to perfection to please unsatisfied workaholic minds, there's not a bum note to be found. Singular in style, these numbers defiantly stand alone in their poignant otherworldly beauty.

'46 Tops' starts proceedings with it's metallic clock shop chimes, immediately bringing to mind Little Miss Trinitron's 'Shigeru's Clockwork Woodpecker'. Touches of almost soulful brass & cascading synth melodies feature in abundance. Despite the 'folktronica' tag, this track actually turns into a game of spot the guitar! A rock solid bassline underpins the whole thing & an abrupt ending teases & shocks (pardon the pun).

'Don't Be A Slave To No Computer' was destined to stay in the vaults until this compilation, it's small wonder that it has never seen the light of day before. One minute it's all clicks & cuts a la Wauvenfold and Matmos, the next sheets of noise. Towards the end we are introduced to cut up vocal samples over the phattest beats this side of Compton. Confusing, chin-stroking but most of all, playful.

Also unreleased, 'The Downs' sees the introduction of the xylophone (or is it a celeste?) which crops up time again. It would have been a travesty to leave this undiscovered. More crisp hip-hoppy loops make you want to clear a space and breakdance wildly, while analogue squiggles & elegant strings raise this above mere filler, into the realms of enhancer.

'Albert Park Music' is incredibly graceful, plaintive & never bores despite its vast length. 'Motoring Britain' & stunning closing track 'Lady Came From Baltic Wharf', with the introduction of vocals for the first time courtesy of the enchanting Louise Davies, means the fun is far from over.

With more twists & turns than a labyrinth, this rich warm tapestry of aural pleasure is one maze you wouldn't mind being lost in. Minotaur's complex obtuse take on electronica is fascinating, gripping & emotional. If he continues like this it won't be too long before he's nudging the timbers of the solar system. Aim for the cosmos & reach high like Minotaur and you'll achieve miracles. Highly recommended and yet another superb release from Melodic, this label can truly do no wrong.