RW2 by Redshift

DS007 : 2006

Following the constant demand for extra print runs of the first "Wild" album Redshift decided to create a full, commercial pressing of the next set previously unreleased tracks.
The pieces were recorded at different times during Redshift's existence, some are loose jams, others are rehearsals and there is even one full studio recording.

The first track, "Fuel", is actually a rehearsal of the piece "Quenzer" from the "Faultline" live album. However, it turned out quite differently from the subsequent live performance, generally more restrained and with only one or two sequence lines being recognisable.

"State 2" is the track that eventually developed into "Static" from the "Ether" album. Once again though only the bass line is recognisable from the final piece. This version is more of a jam and includes totally different top lines and chords.

"Prime" is an early (probably first) band improvisation from Summer 1996. The track title refers to the primeval feel of the piece.

Uniquely for this album "Iron Heart" is actually a full multitrack recording and mix that was finished around the time of the "Down Time" album. The track is unusual for Redshift because it features a drum loop as the core rhythm (along with the bass sequencer). Also present is a considerable amount of guitar and effects from Rob Jenkins.
The band felt that the track seemed totally out of character with the rest of the "Down Time" album and so it remained "on ice" until now.

"Heaven is a Turquoise Avenger" is the last track and (the origin/meaning of the title has long since escaped the band member's memories).
This piece is a rehearsal for a track played at Redshift's first live performance at the Jodrell Bank Planetarium in 1996. The actual live rendition was subject to certain equipment failings and so never made it onto the "Ether" album. However, the band felt that the rehearsal had gone well enough to include it here.

Graham Getty's review:

'Wild 1' flew off the shelves in no time and became a highly prized collector's item. Unlike 'Wild 1' however, 'Wild 2' is a full blown CD and as far as I know is not a limited edition. However, musically it should be as prized as the first as it provides a fascinating glimpse into the history and development of the band.

First up is 'Fuel', a rehearsal for their stratospheric Hampshire Jam 2 appearance. It offers a very different perspective on the tracks which ended up as 'Aquamarine' and 'Quenzer'. The opening restrained melodics, for me, are perhaps the highlight of this whole album. Being a fanatic admirer of Redshift's sequencing prowess, that is no small statement.
The opening few minutes of synth chords/motifs and electric piano I could listen to all day. Fantastic! Then the sequencing emerges. What can I say? It's Moog. It's Redshift. It's syncopation central. It's Heaven! 'Fuel', for me, is the highlight of the album.

Fancy listening to a prototype from their momentous '96 Jodrell Bank concert what spawned 'Ether'? Well 'State 2' gives you the opportunity. A rehearsal for the track that ended up as 'Static', this is moody "swamp music" territory with a bristling doom laden sequence accompanied by mournful synth lines.

Next up is the first ever track recorded by Redshift as a 3-piece, back in the summer of '96. Great atmospherics, some crucial sequencing. Early days it may have been but the potential is there for all to witness.

'Iron Heart' is unusual for the inclusion of drum loops which creates a more uniform insistent beat vs the shifting time signatures which usually grace the sequential tapestry. There are some great guitar effects on show here, and the track builds to a frenetic finale. A fascinating piece.


Finally, we get another healthy 17 minutes worth of rehearsal material for Jodrell Bank 1996. According to the sleeve-notes this is how 'Bombers in the Desert' should have sounded. The live piece was fraught with technical difficulties apparently (must admit I didn't notice them!). Anyway, it's called 'Heaven is a Turquoise Avenger', and it's menacingly moody!


I don't need to review this album really. I'm sure most people have already bought it, fearing it will disappear as fast as 'Wild 1'. To be honest, despite its less limited status, it just may do a quick disappearing act so I wouldn't rely on the re-print. Buy now! Me, I'm going to listen to the opening track again! (GG)

Redshift came into existence in 1994, initially as a solo project by Mark Shreeve. Shreeve had already established himself with his own more "structured" style of electronic music, along with pop songwriting, film score, TV and Library music output.
The idea behind Redshift was to create a darker, organic style of electronic music using mainly, though not exclusively, old analogue synthesisers.

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