Plastikman & Chilly Gonzales: Contain (In Key)

By Kerry Doole

Plastikman & Chilly Gonzales: Contain (Secret City): Techno pioneer Richie Hawtin (aka Plastikman) and pianist/composer/author Chilly Gonzales are two of the most internationally acclaimed Canadian artists we have, so news of a collaboration is welcome indeed.

Described as an album “three decades in the making,” the duo's project, Consumed In Key, will be released digitally and as a deluxe triple vinyl LP on April 1 via Secret City Records in Canada. The album is a reimagining of Plastikman’s 1998 magnum opus Consumed, a work that was profoundly influential, defining the soon-to-emerge minimal movement in electronica. 

The first single, Contain, came out yesterday, and it is an intriguing mix of Plastikman’s minimal electronica and Gonzales’ virtuoso piano playing. This is heady stuff that, over its 8 minutes plus length, has a mesmerising effect. You won’t hear this on commercial radio or in conventional dance clubs, but it makes for compelling headphone listening.

There is quite a back story to the album project. A label press release states that “after hearing Consumed’ for the first time shortly after the album’s 20th anniversary, Chilly felt that the record’s loose use of melody and negative space threatened his musical sensibility. The album’s unique timing structure and flow fueled his curiosity and pushed him towards the idea of composing accompanying piano pieces (counterparts) for each of the tracks. It would not be a remix.”

Gonzales’ friend Tiga, the Turbo Recordings label boss, urged Chilly to continue and suggested that he reach out to Hawtin (Tiga is credited as Executive Producer). Gonzales then continued recording his solitaire interpretations, with Hawtin then brought on board to mix the new combined work.

We await the finished album with keen interest.

Links

Website - Chilly Gonzales

Website - Plastikman

Facebook - Plastikman

Facebook - Chilly Gonzales

Publicity: Susan O'Grady, Take Aim Media