James T. Cotton

The Dancing Box

BY Kevin HaineyPublished Jul 1, 2004

Ghostly International has been pushing hard, dope beats since its launch in 1999, and its more experimental sub-label, Spectral Sounds, is hot on its heels. Spectral’s latest release is the debut full-length from James T. Cotton, better known as Tadd Mullinix and Dabrye, and it’s really bangin’. Exploring a tech-house sound that’s closely related to Chicago acid and Detroit techno, The Dancing Box brings the bass in full and supplies ample layers of sound and melody that are often creepy, always interesting but never alienating. Opener "Press Your Body” is a definite standout, while "A Long Way Down” is a memorable stab at ambient and "Distant Trip” finds Cotton landing in old school Aphex Twin territory. Any fan of tech-house, acid house or even modern electro heroes like Suction, Lowfish or Matthew Dear will dig Cotton’s tense grooves and elastic rhythms.
(Ghostly)

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