To be honest, I dislike drum patterns that hurt my ear. The more melodic the music is the better for me. For that case, the label Toytronic is a godsend, with all its names like Multiplex or Digitonal.

Gimmik (who in fact is austrian sound engineer Martin Haidinger also published by the name Abfahrt Hinwil) is also in that line of Toytronic names - a really respectable musician and one of idm ideologists, not a weird public persona like Richard D. James and without Squarepusher's "I'm Jesus 2.0" ambitions. Although mostly silent from a media perspective, he still creates his warm sonic landscapes around wonderfully crafted melodies. News From The Past features half a dozen of previously unreleased tracks recorded between 1994 and 2000.

The sonic elegancy seems to be Gimmik's trademark even then: analogue sound, perfect sonic construction, delicate melodies, multiple sound layers with all nuances highlighted. Track Floating Clear has some references to drum'n'bass rhythm patterns (not very much sophisticated, I mean), but the melody is good anyway. I'm not sure this compilation will get anyone's eyes wide open, but it will sure help to trace Gimmik's journey to his most recent outputs.

Gimmik is a very important figure in electronic music and always was. When it was shameful to deliver nice melodies in music, when even Bochum Welt gave it up releasing Kissing A Robot Goodbye, Gimmik and his alter ego Abfahrt Hinwil was still feeding those ones in need. News From The Past is certainly a pleasant collection of musician's early works, and despite it's destined more for Gimmik fans and enthusiasts as an ideal introduction to his work, it is consistent and talented music.

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Aulis Vierhovssen
September 04 2005