There’s no such thing as an album that’s a perfect 10 – but there those that are one notch below. The 9’s is an occasional series which explores some of those records.
Released: 1993
About
Ken Downie, Andy Turner and Ed Handley mischievously used a rotating list of aliases – and in the beginning their own label – to pursue their idiosyncratic vision of Detroit techno. Released in 1993 on the Warp label as part of their seminal Artificial Intelligence series, Bytes showcased some of the trio’s finest work.
Why a 9?
In an era where post club compilations were a rarity and ‘Ambient’ music was still partially owned by bearded hippies, Bytes was punk rock by comparison. Channelling equal parts Kraftwerk and the Belleville Three, here relentless invention met supreme listenability.
Why is it important?
It’s wrong to suggest that Artificial Intelligence invented ambient techno/IDM/Whatever you want to call it, but it was absolutely true that Warp packaged it in a way not previously experienced. In total representing far more than the undoubted sum of the contributor’s respective talents, Bytes helped set a precedent in electronic music that lasted well into the next century.
You should listen to
Object Orient, Clan – Mongol Hordes, Merck, 3/4 Heart
In memory of Ken Downie.
The Voice Of Unreason 