Culprit One- Aqoon Guud

Artist: Culprit One
CD Title: Aqoon Guud EP
Label: My Kung Fu
Reviewer: Matthew Johnson
Date: 1/23/06

Welsh solo artist James Hannam, better known as Culprit One, has worked with artists as popular as the Dub Pistols and even former Spice Girl Melanie C., but this four-song EP is eccentric enough to belie his commercial success. Taking its cues not from the big beat of the Chemical Brothers but from the laptop experiments of Aphex Twin and Mu-Ziq, this bite-sized collection of tunes explores a number of moods via ambient and glitch music. “Parting Shot” starts things out on a perky note, with vocal samples sped up to chipmunk speed and dropped in over crunchy beats, and “Manical” is more relaxing than its title suggests, with warm organ tones, a cymbal-heavy rhythm section and hints of judiciously placed feedback. “Adapt” is jazzy and metallic, with lots of vibraphone and chime effects, but it’s the final track, “Frozen Format,” that really makes this little CD such a treat. It’s more than just fun and weird; it’s legitimately pretty, with sweetly sad synth melodies interlaced with slow, distorted drum samples. It’s got enough going for it that you feel can’t help but feel a little disappointed when it’s over; in less than twenty minutes, Hannam’s already got you hooked, and there’s little doubt that anyone who hears it will soon be longing for a full-length Culprit One release. Hopefully Hannam won’t make us wait too long.

Visit www.culpritone.com for more information.