Reviews - ALbums
Saytek
Live from The Sea Pit: a live performance recorded at the Zoo Project Ibiza
label: The Zoo Project
what do we think: the way Saytek structured this mix is quite something
To start this isn’t an album and I just can’t say it is a live album. Although the idea live club performances is a great one few ever capture that vibe, which is aided by a mass of people and visual lighting not to mention the showmanship you never attain from simply listening.
What I wasn’t very keen on was how this live recording starts. On just about every live album I have ever listened to we are treated to a vivid mental picture of the named artist taking to the stage with the aid of the club or venue environment being recorded into the album. With this lacking the first impression if very poor and it takes a while for me to recover from this as I feel I’ve been thrown into the middle of a recorded studio mix.
What is great is the music. A blend of all sorts from acid house to afro tech with many epic and deep moments. The vibe overall is more progressive than anything. Lots of cloudy stabs pumped through reverbs and delays, winding and twisting synth builds with hissy noise are abundant.
It is the later half of this mix I find more appealing. It’s more in tuned to my generation. Although a little tougher… it’s a bit more stripped back, moody and honest.
As a musician and a producer, what I have often found dissatisfying with live electronic shows is the lack of creative fills. While it’s of little concern in the clubs due to the ferocious club sound systems, I think it’s extremely important for home listening as its always the detail which keeps me interested and triggers my want for further listens. Sadly this recording is little different offering little in the percussive or melodic detail. I suppose it’s not an easy task working with loops on end but a little thought perhaps should have gone into this before taking on the task of producing a CD for home listens. I still think some crowd ambience should have been added to this recording to provide a feel of excitement in particularly to those moments of builds; it would have been a thrill to hear the roars I assume. For most this performance is totally high octane and it only starts to relax in later parts.
All in all some very good moments, a few great ones but I think a little more thought and planning. What happens in a club is very special. Trying to bring that home is not an easy task and I don’t think Saytek has managed to do that here. Although it may have been recorded in one take, the recording lacks many of the components that I consider for it to be a live album. But it has to be said, this recording offers some great spontaneous music and his flawless tenacity at dropping in loop after loop has really got to be applauded.
