- The Chicago Shags is the by-product of two of the Dutch West Coast's greatest nu jack, 303-toting talents coming together in the studio. Danny "Legowelt" Wolfers and Brian "Orgue Electronique" Chinetti's strange, frightening yet exhilarating vision has only been realised on vinyl a few times previously, but each missive is worth checking. This release is no exception.
The opening title track redefines the term "epic," but naturally, this is no hands-in-the-air prog euphoria. Instead, it's a dizzyingly fluid arrangement that shifts from powerful claps and eerie synth lines into claustrophobic crashing snares and an atmospheric string sequence. "West Park" sees the duo revert to a deeper approach, with trippy 303 lines underpinned by a warm, purring bassline. It sounds like it was conceived to provide the listener with a breather because the flip side features a salvo of bass-heavy tracks.
Of the three, "Judgement Day" provides the most visceral approach, rumbling along with an ominous ass-quaking bass. However, "Casio RZ1" contains its own dance floor immediacy in the form of spine-tingling snare rolls, while "Live by the Sword" is a gloopy dirge, powered by acid-flecked bass licks. Fashioned by deranged provocateurs, Flamingo World is one of the West Coast's most intense contributions to the Chicago jack Italo horror soundtrack continuum.
Tracklist A1 Flamingo World
A2 West Park
B1 Judgement Day
B2 Casio RZ1
B3 Live by the Sword