Alumni of the awkward early-90's Artificial Intelligence series (a joint venture between Warp and TVT), B12 have yet to hit their stride. After an uninspiring 1993 debut, replete with artwork just slightly better than the Prodigy's Experience, B12 dove headfirst into a laughable Ridley Scott pastiche for their sophomore full-length, Time Tourist. Though the music behind the album's hackneyed artwork and track titles was a marked improvement (unlike their debut, the album is definitely worth owning), its pretensions overwhelm the music's relative technical and aesthetic simplicity. You can't ape Blade Runner and expect to be taken seriously.

On 3EP, it's evident the group is comfortable redesigning the whole of the B12 experience with each release. The crisp keyboards and icy synth-hats that were so prevalent on Time Tourist are replaced by fashionable underproduction. The sleeve tows the Designer's Republic party line, and could easily be mistaken for Autechre circa 1997. Overall, the presentation is an about-face.

It's not that I'm a stickler for formula-- I may not like the direction Tom Jenkinson's taken with his Squarepusher output, but he's trying in earnest and I can't deny him that freedom. But in B12's case, the effort doesn't ring true. Although I love the first cut off this EP ("Dave Brubeck," a song that could easily find a cozy home in one of Danny Boyle's films), I don't have much to say about the other two. "Joe Morello, Live," one of the duo's first attempts at jazz sampling, is simply aimless. And though the closer, "Ron Carter," is far more interesting, it's still underdeveloped. Simplicity works with the insistent and dreamy opener, but that's about it.

Three releases into a career, there should be something identifiable in an artist's output for discussion, and this three-song reminder isn't enough to solidify B12's aims. Though their music is often great, it's not consistent or groundbreaking enough to support the posturing they've employed. Given a definable approach, the duo could easily bolster Warp's catalog with solid records. As it stands, B12 are in danger of becoming just another name on the label's increasingly inconsistent roster.

-Chris Ott