When I picked up Pole's first CD (humorlessly titled CD 1) there was a little sticker on it with a quote extolling the virtues of Pole's experimental electronic update on dub. I got the record home and heard nothing of the kind. Yeah, it had some deep bass here and there, but I couldn't see how the sterile electronic production or the random, buzzing sonic excursions could be compared to the sticky, free- flowing ambience of dub. I mean, I still liked it, but I found myself confused by the comparison. Now, with Pole's latest offering, the EP CD 2, I understand.

CD 2 brings to the forefront the catchier, more rhythm- oriented side of Pole's (somewhat limited) musical personality. Or, as the electronic eggheads of the European continent from whence Pole sprang would probably describe it, the music on CD 2 is "Sound with a bit more organization." There are very clear patterns, choruses even (well, kind of...), that bring a little funk to the table. A little bid-a-boom to go with that digital sshhh...

Now, this is ambient electronic minimalism I'm talking about, so I mean it when I say "a little" funk. But that small bit makes a big difference. And when combined with the dry, yet spacious production environment that brings to mind a microprocessor's idea of what comes out of a Jamaican mixing board, these patterns make for a fun EP. And the "pure sine waves, hold the overtones please" kind of bottom end is the clincher. So, I'm sold-- a cold electronic version of dub. They nailed it.

-Mark Richard-San