BOCHUM WELT - R.O.B. (Robotic Operating Buddy)

Gianluigi Di Costanzo is the man behind the Bochum Welt moniker; the Milan-based electro/techno composer released initial recordings in 1994 and was subsequently signed to Richrd D. James Rephlex label. Costanzo also has his own Kromode label.

Other projects undertaken by the musician include collaborations with Thomas Dolby’s California-based Beatnik and Headspace Inc. companies amidst periodic audio assignments for the likes of Vodafone, Nokia and Apple, amongst others.

Listening to this double CD, it’s easy to see why Costanzo is so well-received by the above-mentioned brands, his trademark post-rave experimental electronica is evidently not aimed at the dancefloor, rather cultivated from a fascination of spacious atmospherics and melody, as much in keeping with today’s modern electronic producers as eighties synth pop influences like The Human League and to a lesser extent, Kraftwerk.

The first disc showcases new tracks and remixes. The gristly, fast-paced opener, Flag, is not particularly indicative of what’s to follow, Costanzo instead seduces on the highly melodic precision of Saint (Dmix), the ethereal ambience of 8221SB, and the moody gut punch of Interlude (Extended)– his ear for a good tune is unquestionable, it’s usually what separates Bochum Welt from the quagmire.

Bizarrely, mixing and production are not Costanzo’s strong points, so many of these instrumentals sound hurried and rough around the edges, yet unpolished jewels are still jewels. The second disc, brimful of rare back catalogue tracks, in resplendent WAV quality, hardly differentiate themselves from Costanzo’s newer material, but are no less enchanting. 20 tracks in total flutter between Apex Twin acid ambience and YMO slumber – moulded and pruned from the perspective that video game music and electronic pop are only ever divisible by a sequencer and couple of effects units.

Tracks such as Puck, Asteroids Over Berlin, Hug Me Tight, Fortune Green, That’s Mutuality and the simply magical Radiopropulsive will have you yearning for the repeat button. However, everyone will have their own favourites, and Constanzo doesn’t always hit the mark, but his childlike approach to making music is so enthusiastic and alluring, that overall, R.O.B. (Robotic Operating Buddy) is pretty much a no-brainer for the quintessential electronic music lover.



	BOCHUM WELT - R.O.B. (Robotic Operating Buddy)
	8.6
	Rephlex ~ CAT192 ~ 7th April 2008
	Gianluigi Di Costanzo is the man behind the Bochum Welt moniker; the Milan-based electro/techno composer released initial recordings in 1994 and was subsequently signed to Richrd D. James Rephlex label. Costanzo also has his own Kromode label. Other projects undertaken by the musician include collaborations with Thomas Dolby’s California-based Beatnik and Headspace Inc. companies amidst periodic audio assignments for the likes of Vodafone, Nokia and Apple, amongst others. Listening to this double CD, it’s easy to see why Costanzo is so well-received by the above-mentioned brands, his trademark post-rave experimental electronica is evidently not aimed at the dancefloor, rather cultivated from a fascination of spacious atmospherics and melody, as much in keeping with today’s modern electronic producers as eighties synth pop influences like The Human League and to a lesser extent, Kraftwerk. The first disc showcases new tracks and remixes. The gristly, fast-paced opener, Flag, is not particularly indicative of what’s to follow, Costanzo instead seduces on the highly melodic precision of Saint (Dmix), the ethereal ambience of 8221SB, and the moody gut punch of Interlude (Extended)– his ear for a good tune is unquestionable, it’s usually what separates Bochum Welt from the quagmire. Bizarrely, mixing and production are not Costanzo’s strong points, so many of these instrumentals sound hurried and rough around the edges, yet unpolished jewels are still jewels. The second disc, brimful of rare back catalogue tracks, in resplendent WAV quality, hardly differentiate themselves from Costanzo’s newer material, but are no less enchanting. 20 tracks in total flutter between Apex Twin acid ambience and YMO slumber – moulded and pruned from the perspective that video game music and electronic pop are only ever divisible by a sequencer and couple of effects units. Tracks such as Puck, Asteroids Over Berlin, Hug Me Tight, Fortune Green, That’s Mutuality and the simply magical Radiopropulsive will have you yearning for the repeat button. However, everyone will have their own favourites, and Constanzo doesn’t always hit the mark, but his childlike approach to making music is so enthusiastic and alluring, that overall, R.O.B. (Robotic Operating Buddy) is pretty much a no-brainer for the quintessential electronic music lover.