Bedouin Ascent

by Sean CooperOne of the most obscure artists of the U.K. experimental/intelligent techno scene (particularly given his output), Bedouin Ascents Kingsuk Biswas is an impressive force of influence in the areas of overlap between the more ponderous extents of ambient, electro, techno, and drumnbass. Recording originally for Rising High before that label shut doors in early 1996, Biswas early 12s and debut LP, Science, Art and Ritual, were set more squarely in the experimental ambient/techno camp. As the U.K. underground music scenes tended ever increasingly toward entropy, however, Bedouin Ascents music has followed suit, shifting to leadership status after 1995s astounding Music for Particles LP, as well as remixes for the Rising High Collective, Tortoise, Slack Dog, and others. Generally employing a heavily syncopated method of downtempo drumnbass with crisp, shattering snares set in complex patterns and deep, extended bass drones, Biswas often pairs sampled percussion with more typical 808 and 909 drum sounds, recalling the lino-square jaunts of Man Parrish and Cybotron as well the experimental junglists such as Plug, Witchman, and Squarepusher. Biswas is also one of only a handful of artists who have succeeded in fusing elements from these disparate genres in a fashion wholly irreducible to any single category. In addition to his Rising High releases, Biswas has also issued material through the Leaf, Lo, and Blue Angel labels, as well as collaborated with Justin Broadrick and Kevin Martin of Techno Animal and electro-acoustician Jim ORourke.