Sizing Things Up

Bo Square is the experimental beats project from producer, Mike Powell whose much anticipated album, Sizing Things Up, expands on the jazzy electronic sound scapes of his recent 'Outer Space Suite' 12'(Tino Corp.) featuring Sun Ra Arkestra legend, Marshall Allen. The album's musical coloration embrace more syncopated rhythms and tempos as a structural bed to Powell's story in sound. This 'nu breaks' collection finds the Tino's Breaks co-producer and former MBM sideman drawing from a palette of texture, timbre, mood and time changes with a stylistically broad brush. Sophisticated jazz riffing breaks down into junglish d-n-b phrasing or ventures cool abstract breakbeat - sometimes sketched dark, sometimes quirky and fun. Instrumentation likewise turns different corners tuning shortwave radio transmissions, theremin, guitar, ARP Avatar and the ultra-classic, Minimoog into new melodic frequencies. Sizing Things Up singles, 'Outer Space Suite' and 'Numbers' which appears on the recent Jack Dangers, 'mix' album, 'Hello Friends' (Shadow Records) are both here along with 5 new tracks rhythm ready and head-strong. ...

For those decked with Luke Vibert, Amon Tobin, Sun Ra, Meat Beat Manifesto. Reviews: Bo Square 'Outer Space Suite' 12' 'Mike Powell silently unleashed this powerful piece of drum and bass fusion a few months ago. Regardless, this record kicks: slower tempos, a chill, stoney vibe and Powell's own occasionally dissonant guitar competently frame (Marshall) Allen's emotive, skyward solos. Flip for the hazy midtempo 'Numbers', where Powells Meat Beat connections make perfect sense.' - XLR8R.