Fm: Fantasma Remixes - Cornelius

***So you’ve heard the re-mixes. Well what about the original? This is a review of the unmixed ‘Fantasma’ but seeing as there wasn’t a suitable place for it in the category guide, I’ve slipped it in here for you. Hope I’ve not caused too much disruption…*** There’s always been something about the far-eastern experimentalist, and one-man-band Cornelius which has unnerved me a little, although I can’t quite put my finger on what it is. For those of you who are unacquainted with the ‘Japanese Beck,’ Cornelius is to music what Tim Burton is to film. He creates works with a glossy, childlike ...

When Cornelius is asked to remix a song, he insists the band return the compliment and remix one of his. Thus FM was born. FM is an album of Cornelius tracks as remixed by other people: ‘Mic Check’ is hip hop-ified by Money Mark, ‘The Micro Disneycal World Tour’ is mutated into a country and western track, while U.N.K.LE. subvert all components of ‘TypewriteLesson’ into a colossal, atmospheric beat- feast, punctuated by Planet Of The Apes samples and electrical interference. Damon Albarn even pops up to add some manly vocals to ‘Star Fruits Surf Rider’. This album serves to add interesting angles to Cornelius’ work. ...