- I've sometimes thought of Detroit's Brian Kage as a sort of second-wave Vince Watson figure. Apart from razor-sharp percussion, their productions share a certain melodic sensibility which many artists just can't seem to touch. The real difference between the two is that while Watson has shown remarkable consistency throughout his long-ish career, Kage has often stumbled in his quest for new sounds. Nevertheless, when Kage gets it right, he really gets it right (2006 EP Interstellar Agent is a prime example). Thankfully, Bear Trax Volume 2 belongs in the latter category.
It's a risky thing to use the sounds of nature in electronic music—recorded or synthesised. More often than not, they just end up cheesy. Occasionally though, it works, as in "Awaken from Hibernation." To begin, Kage gently rouses us with the sound of a gurgling stream and faint bird calls. Quickly transitioning into bass-heavy but docile beats, the nature theme could almost be forgotten, were it not for the main hook, a two-note trill which emulates a bird call. During the breaks, the seemingly solid bassline rises up in a gentle acidic burble, dying back down for the other elements to take control again.
"Salmon Fishin'" employs a similar technique. The notes don't seem to strike—they instead float elegantly out of the track's fabric and melt back in, with the barest of percussion adding to the serene feel. If it's an attempt to copy the feel of river currents, full marks. As if in response, "Migration Pattern" is perc-heavy, showcasing the crispest of hi-hats, which Kage thankfully can't seem to put away. Though the other two cuts are relatively short, this ten-minute epic takes things even deeper, employing drawn-out filter sweeps and minute, wriggling spirals of acid.
Tracklist01. Awaken From Hibernation
02. Salmon Fishin'
03. Migration Pattern