Fhloston Paradigm – The Phoenix

Album Review by Bram E. Gieben | 18 Jun 2014
Album title: The Phoenix
Artist: Fhloston Paradigm
Label: Hyperdub
Release date: 7 Jul

Philadelphian producer King Britt returns to his science fiction-inspired Fhloston Paradigm project, which sees him switching from the soulful techno of his main alias into a kind of stuttering, stroboscopic machine funk informed by early Warp experiments, pioneering synth soundtracks, and the heavy conceptual bent of ground-breaking SF. Having released an EP on Hyperdub in 2012 following two EPs for smaller labels in 2009 and 2011, The Phoenix sees Britt finally realising the full potential of Fhloston Paradigm, with some impressive, ethereal vocal contributions from Natasha Kmeto, Pia Ercole, and Rachel Claudio.

The gloriously analogue tones of Chasing Rainbows makes a welcome appearance; but it's the bubbling arpeggios of opener Race To The Moon; the dubbed-out percussion and whispered vocals of Never Defeated; and the glittering post-dubstep of It's All About that demonstrate the album's diversity and quality. The blistering anaogue acid of the title track seals the deal, making this a standout in Britt's impressive discography. 

http://soundcloud.com/kingbritt