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THOMAS BRINKMANN - WHEN HORSES DIE [Track 01, "Words"] *Remixed samples of lyrics by Winston Tong

"Germany's legendary label-owner, remixer and prolific experimentalist Thomas Brinkmann presents the follow-up to Klick Revolution. The source of inspiration is a strange mix between Suicide, Joy Division, old Tuxedomoon, and Another Day On Earth-era Brian Eno. Ten tracks start up with piano and the broken arrangement between distorted guitars and bass -- no drums, no beats, just lyrics from Tuxedomoon's Winston Tong."

• "Miserere somewhat resembles the physical sound poetry of Henri Chopin. Its beats and rhythms are made up from repeated breathing exercises, grunts, laughter and other body music. This is particularly effective when the spoken text overlaps into the more abstract sounds of the other performers to create a feeling of the natural and the supernatural worlds coming together. The result is a compelling sound journey into the dark soul of the Orpheus legend"  - The Wire, 6/03
• "A holy, impressionistic incantation of seductive, hypnotic power and ethereal intent"  - Glasgow Herald, 8/03
• "Stunning and genuinely otherworldly..."  - Whisperin' & Hollerin', 6/03

THEORETICALLY CHINESE:

• Tong's final solo effort, or at least the last one that has seen any sort of formal release, Theoretically Chinese is at times quite an intriguing attempt at an art-pop/dance effort, mid-'80s vintage. Most of the album is essentially a collaboration with ex- Associates member Alan Rankine, and if Theoretically Chinese isn't a hysterical classic on the level of say, Sulk, Rankine brings shimmering energy to the album that pays off in spades. The sparkling "Endgame" and the moodier "Reports From the Heart" are fine pop through and through, with Tong's smooth, often underplayed singing at the center -- he rarely takes over a song, instead easily flowing with the arrangements. Throughout the album Tong touches on everything from lyrical references to George Orwell ("Big Brother" -- not a cover of the Bowie song, though Tong himself owes a debt to Bowie 's crooning style more than once) to a fine enough reworking of Marianne Faithfull 's stellar "Broken English." This perhaps takes on a new level of meaning given Tong's long-standing interest in his Chinese descent and American upbringing, also addressed via his calling another song "Yellow Peril." One song, the almost-title-track "Theoretical China," is a supergroup jam of sorts, with players including New Order's Stephen Morris and Jah Wobble , but it's a touch overcooked, Tong sounding a bit forced on the verses. LTM's reissue, as is par for the course with their efforts, includes a fine essay on Tong from label boss James Nice as well as three bonus tracks -- an Italian remix of "Broken English" and two collaborations with Belgian singer Niki Mono. "The Hunger" is a striking tour de force, a quarter-of-an-hour-long effort done in collaboration with a number of Japanese musicians.   ~ Ned Raggett, All Music Guide

• "...Highlights shine out with clarity. "Broken English" (as covered by Marianne Faithful) is a song that could define the genre: minimalist, impulsive, cool and exciting all at once. "Theoretical China" itself is a monster of a single that sits very well in this company.... 'The Hunger' is a grandiose and fascinating 16-minute piece of sections from a Tokyo session with Japanese musicians. Go buy, you nu-sonic archaeologists! "Dream Assassins" puts itself out as more than a great title/band name. Its sonic scope takes it well outside the pop/disco format, more akin to the experimental feel (if not the sound) of "The Hunger". James Nice's...subtle introduction of Winston Tong is a very effective testimony to both their talents." ~ Whisperin' & Hollerin'

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