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. Spectrals latest release is the debut full-length from James T. Cotton, better known as Tadd Mullinix and Dabrye, and its really bangin. Exploring a tech-house sound thats 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 Cottons tense grooves and elastic rhythms.
(Ghostly)James T. Cotton
The Dancing Box
BY Kevin HaineyPublished Jul 1, 2004