Bearded Magazine Review

Norwich based Fat Benjamin, aka Andrew Callaby’s electronic creations have often been described as ‘moody’ and ‘ambient’ – and it’s this combination which nicely bridges the gap between Autechre and Lamb.

In previous releases (including the recent futureRUSTIC EP) he’s successfully merged broody vocals (by the likes of Kerry-Fleur and Mikela Jay) with the processed beats of an alien empire.

Xtraperriermenthal is different though, showcasing his more experimental (and instrumental – or should I say Instraperriermenthal?) side, but retaining a sci-fi sensibility for bleeps, beats and drones that sound like the fleet of the death star coming into land. It’s war music from another planet!

Opener ‘Limited MeanZ’ (The Starship Troopers must be down with the kids, though thankfully I think Callaby is in on the joke) sears with rage and intensity. Melody merges with rhythm and synths thunder, setting the precedent for Martin Sheen’s dark trip down some river of sulphur.   

Track two ‘chuck’ is perhaps the album’s most accessible, but then clanky and intrusive beats detract from a promising start. A shame but not to be dwelled on, as the most dance-friendly tune, “dubbaYA”, grabs you and booms with the swagger of all good dubstep.

Song structure is free and nonchalant, allowing eloquent swirls of sound and the church organs of space to momentarily replace more traditional soundscapes. Elsewhere, recurring electronic hooks fly in and out of airspace.

Fat Benjamin certainly ventures into an interesting area with this EP. But while gamers should enjoy the escapist qualities on offer, it’s not for every happy little stoner! Those of you who prefer a human edge to their music should stay well clear and opt for one of Fat Benjamin’s other EPs.

But with all of them available on the website for two fifty (or three quid) a pop, who’s complaining?

James Labous/Brendan Morgan

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FAT BENJAMIN There is a Cloud 7/10

fatbenjamin.com
By creating a velvety soundscape that lies between chillout and ambient techno, this solo artist has accomplished a stirring vision.

It revs up moodily to the vocals of Mikela Jay, whose bruised but angelic approach can be likened to Shara Nelson on Unfinished Symphony.

When it all kicks in, it's a liberating, subtle, operatic thrill.


NOTE: Vocals on this track were by Kerry-Fleur, though it's great that Mikela got a mention!

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The Plastic Ashtray EP Review

The futureRUSTIC EP sways gracefully between the dark sonic tints of Tricky’s Trip-Hop and pure techno intelligent dance music close to that of Leftfield’s progressive House. Though comparisons leave room for a listener to closely associate Fat Benjamin with the greats, there's much more that Fat Benjamin offers here; differing from the former in more textural variations and providing murky soulful dub rhythms that makes it different from the latter.

This seven track EP is a listening pleasure for any electronic music lover with sublime vocals in four tracks. London based prolific singer Kerry-Fleur provides soulful melodious vocals on ‘there is a cloud’ and ‘shoosh’. ‘4 blocks 6 blocks’ features Mikela Jay on vocals & Lyrics by Jon Stolber and Elly Kellner gives vocals on the track ‘Dog’ a brisk techno dance number. Jon Stolber is a member of the UK based three piece band called hungry i. Kerry-Fleur is particularly impressive here with vocals reminding Margo Timmins of Cowboy Junkies. The tracks here emphasize on poignant melodies, spare down tempo breakbeats, spastic rhythms with crispy percussion and fertile crescendos.

Fat Benjamin keeps releasing new material on his website and is said to release another version of ‘4 blocks 6 blocks’ having vocals from both Mikela Jay and Jon Stolber. With The futureRUSTIC EP, Fat Benjamin joins the proven club of the elite contemporary european indie electronic musicians like Xela and Fennesz. Though this EP doesn’t offer a sound unheard before yet it’s definitely out of trend, haunting and surprising at times, providing flawless recording with soulful energy and a much needed break in the present electronic releases that churn chaotic groundless records in the name of experimentation. Recommended

Bhasker Gupta

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The Overplay.com Review

Moody. That’s the feeling you get from these seven songs from Leeds-based producer, soundscape gardener and all-round electro-mystic Andy Callaby, AKA Fat Benjamin. The Future Rustic ep has the widescreen drama and off-kilter magic of a foreign film with lots of crying and the occasional tastefully-shown nipple. Epic instrumentals share the alien environment with some idiosyncratic guest vocalists to create a challenging, surprising and sometimes sparkly listen.

“Introductory” launches us into the outer reaches of the galaxy straight away with cavernous wails, threatening sax and thumping random beats that escalate the terror with every second. Then follows the first of two numbers with London vocalist Kerry Fleur, “There Is A Cloud”. Her clipped, nervously beautiful style is the perfect accompaniment to the trippy Middle Eastern dramatics. However, this is fairly tame, albeit interesting, stuff compared to Kerry’s other contribution. On “Shoosh”, an eerie morass of sparse prickly effects and dark moods wrap them a strangely optimistic lyric: “I believe in miracles, they echo through the darkest tunnels of life.” Aah.

Ultimately though, no two songs are the same. “4 Blocks 6 Blocks”, with vocalist Mikela Jay, is a seductively stylish piece of Massive Attack ambient desolation. Conversely, “Dog”, featuring Elly Kellner, is a sputtering bit of fun, jerky Bjork-like electro-splodge. Meanwhile, “Ravaged D Mill” glows with elegant, eastern sophistication like the most refined Nitin Sawhney composition. Even with this degree of variety, it’s surprising when the ep finishes with the housey, piano-driven bop of “The Enditiled Voice”. But then Fat Benjamin’s all about going somewhere new. Even if it is straight to the dancefloor with a bottle of blue WKD.