CRYSTAL DISTORTION
Crystal Distortion is about change: The transformation of energy from one state to another akin to ancient healing methods involving minerals, but re produced in a modern environment using 'silicon processor' technology to re -balance the human 'psyche'. What better way to achieve this than through music and dance?
The Primary experiments of this kind were participated in by our resident 'ghost in the machine' 51m0n. A human 'by product' of electronic culture – born in London - he saw fit to re-align virtuous components of modern dance e.g. the rhythms of hip hop, breaks, tekno etc, with neo apocalyptic visions as portrayed in such cult milestones as 'Akira', ‘2000AD’, ‘Tetsuo’, and more recently, the story of the 'Matrix'.
The result is a form of musical expression treading on the tightrope between sonic excess and universal love.
The journey started with a concrete conviction that 'anyone who really must do something will end up doing so: better it be something positive' and it’s with these sentiments that 51m0n managed to collaborate on the first release for the label MOVIN SHADOW (Earth Leakage Trip – 1991) Not content to rest satisfied that his 1st productions were now present to the public at only age 17, he went on to improve his technical knowledge at the expense of RISING HIGH records one year later. This coincided with that somewhat inevitable meeting with the SPIRAL TRIBE sound system in its early days. One life was to survive, the other was not. 51m0n, though more at home in the company of machines than humans, chose the 'spiritual route'.
The next 8 years were spent sowing the seeds for a better musical future for all our children. Co - Pioneer of the 'improvised electronic live set' with 69db, the collaboration resulting in the R-ZAC project, and operating close to the heart of the 'Spiral sound', the travelling exploits of mobile studio and label NETWORK 23, the Crystal Distortion Concept cut a swathe through the then stagnant commercial trance/ house/ hardcore scenes that were dominating Europe leaving behind an innumerable de-centralized community of 'groovebox 'wielding, all terrain boot wearing followers.
This, in conjunction with providing the basic tuition of music machine usage to some of the best dance musicians of the past 10 years in the mobile recording studio belonging within the road convoy of the Spiral Tribe was enough to convince 51m0n that 'Crystal Distortion' as a concept was here to stay, but how to take it worldwide? That was, and still is ,THE question.
Destinations visited during these experiments include Germany, (Love Parade more than once), Austria (9 months in Vienna completely transformed the kids beyond all recognition) Czech republic (the fastest growing new electronic scene this side of the planet), Hungary (lake Balaton 1999 harnessing the power of a solar eclipse), U.S.A (Chicago 1994 followed by the capable hands and mind of legend Derrick May), Israel ( looking for the non - trance contingent and finding them) Spain (freedom to the kids of Barcelona where he lived for the first few years of the 3rd millenium), Portugal ( 80 vehicle convoys on the beach for 3 weeks at a time, music non stop)
Labels hijacked along the way started in 1992 with BIG LIFE records, the material founders, and later .. BASS NETWORK, RABBIT CITY, FORCE INC, ACID ORANGE, CHICAGO TRAX.
The year 2000 saw a debut appearance at France’s largest electronic music events and a first step into chain store distribution with new partner Expressillon.
Releases on the label Expressillon have been seen as 'dropping milestones' to mark the different major turning points of the 'Crystal Distortion' project. For all who need to know more, a healthy dose of 'Recycle 21' followed by a main course of '866 and counting' not forgetting 'Chip Jockey ' for dessert should be enough to prepare you for our latest offering 'The things I4m not supposed to do' as that proverbial 'last spliff before bedtime'… a personal introspective journey across the slower wavelengths of the Crystal Distortion manifest.
End of 2004 saw appearances on ‘‘Network23 /1993-1996'' triple cd compilation (Expressillon) as well as on ‘‘World Traveller Adventures'' dvd (Uwe). 2005,2006 and 2007 saw releases on Labrat Audiochemicals, Perce-Oreille, Jetlag and Trinitus, (Si begg's label),Frogs,… to name a few, and a debut foray into the world of sound design and sample loop creation with one of the freshest new sonic design companies around, Samplemagic, with the release of the now legendary 'BreakBusters'.And of course the repress of his legendary music first released in early 90’s on Network 23 label.
Crystal Distortion – a prolific artist? yes! already 4 vinyl releases since beginning of this year…And a new summer Tour delivering his kick-ass, genre busting, jaw droppingly unique brand of techno and breakbeat to audience all across Europe , at both free parties and major festivals or techno clubs. …. So, look out for his next live performance happening in your local area….
Our future? it all depends on your support, thanks for reading, now please listen............
