The Gasman - Audiogold

A wry salesman, The Gasman returns for his fourth release on Planet Mu with the homemade 'Gaylord' brand of sonic warpage we've come to know and love. Such a creative waveform can only exist in The Gasman's proclaimed time warp of an early rave and a nineteenth century ballroom, presided over by a leering apparition of Richard D. James. Audiogold is a damn fine album, and opener Crucible (remix), finale Trampoline4 and the sinister Battery Hen - the end of which is signalled by a warped and chilling cluck - form ambient counterparts to the heavier tracks. (MX90)'s hypnotic drill rave, (Rev)'s melodic assault and the dissolving woodwinds in Pyrex have a subliminal counterweight in these systematic lulls and starry synths. Aside from these inimitable Gasman traits, the beats tend to sound a little Rephlex-by-numbers. Clearly that is no slur, but it must be said that The Gasman doesn't bound into new territory. [Rosie McLean]