Proem, 2 = 1 [Merck – PM, 2002]

proem_1+22 = 1 features six tracks by Proem and is released on Merck. Two of the songs are taken form his full-length albums “Negative”, two other are taken from his n5md release “Among Others” and two are new. “Binary+bored” is besides being cleverly named a beatless intro and a track with haunting sounds and plenty of atmosphere. In “skylup” you get crisp beats, nicely played basslines and glass-like structures. It’s followed by “Early rings” nice, nice beats in combination with melody saturated by melancholy alongside bass and a hint of processed vocal samples. Rather complex beat handling in the forward moving “Crash map” filled with cut-up melody with a healthy dose of reminisce in the choice of sounds. “Access Mike (failure to connect)” display more rather nice beat handling and a fair amount up cut-up sounds in the track, but the solid beats keeps the composition intact. Finally there’s a remix of “Early Rings” courtesy Tim Koch. Proem goes from strength to strength and rumors have it that a second album is to released on Merck in 2003. It will be highly interesting.