Luke Vibert

Curating a volume in the Nuggets series of electronic sound-library compilations must have inspired Luke Vibert, because his next record out the gate reflects the influence of '70s avant-electronic pop producers like Roger Roger or Nino Nardini. YosepH, Vibert's first record for Warp (the label that would've been the natural home for any of his previous works), is both his starkest LP and one of his most melodically warped, a combination that puts him right in Nuggets territory. Granted, you wouldn't find a white-coated pop technician like Jean-Jacques Perrey quoting Zapp or indulging in some of the rawest 303 acid lines heard on any record since the heyday of Chicago's finest jackers. For the first time in several years, Vibert avoids overt references to hip-hop; he sticks mostly to tight breakbeat percussion, favors acid or electro effects, and steps up to the mic on several tracks for ace robotic vocals along the lines of Kraftwerk-Computer World. It may not be apparent from the above description, but YosepH is hardly a record in stylistic lockstep: "NokTup" is the most immediate, catchy track from Vibert since Wagon Christ's Throbbing Pouch, and "Ambalek" is a storm of white noise preceded by a cheeky sample (the classic "This is a journey into sound..."). YosepH proves most of all that Vibert continues to make compelling tracks with familiar tools, and shows he can keep up with talented newcomers like Dabrye and Prefuse 73. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide