Here is a fantastic review from The Electricity Club regarding tenek’s ‘Smoke and Mirrors – Instrumental′ that is re-released via Bandcamp as of November 6th, 2020. A big thank you to Paul Browne and Jus Forrest.
Things are not what they seem…
Having just covered the very recent re-release of Tenek’s EP2 at TEC, it’s a welcome surprise to see yet more material spouting from the archives of the electronica duo that is Geoff Pinckney and Peter Steer. This time, they’ve done things slightly differently, however. Celebrating the 5th anniversary of 2015’s highly acclaimed Smoke and Mirrors album, the duo has opted to release an all instrumental version of the original standout record.
An obvious point with this album, is a work that is massively characterised by some of the most exceptional and catchy bass playing you’ll ever hear in this genre. It gives a real sense of fluid movement. And not only that, it takes on all forms, with variation throughout, and in some cases occupying centre stage. It would appear that in short, Smoke and Mirrors is all about the groove – and if you didn’t think bass could be so interesting, then I urge you to take a listen. Much like everything I’ve encountered by Tenek, the quality of sound and production is superior to many, and in the case of this particular album, placement of some of those key, and indeed catchy basslines, are perfectly positioned within the mix – delivering maximum punch, so to speak. It’s a pure listening pleasure.
In its virtuous instrumental form, Smoke and Mirrors is a very different vehicle to the one that’s been heard previously. The eleven weighty tracks loan themselves to a supernatural soundtrack – one that journeys to somewhere dark, decadent and is sometimes racy. It’s content, while being varied, offers synergies in various energetic forces. Alongside the aforementioned grooves, there are daring elements to the guitars, that blend seamlessly to the expressive and melodic strengths that emanate from the synths, and not least, there’s a great natural drum sound that contributes nicely to knitting the whole soundtrack experience together. It isn’t really a track by track album – least not in this format, more so, it’s a heightened listening experience, the individual tracks acting as stop-off points, and showcasing different themes, directions, and moods.
*To read more from this issue, click HERE!
**To purchase this DIGITAL album, please visit the band’s BandCamp page!
Thanks to everyone for your ongoing support! – tenek and crew xx