Maurice Fulton Albums (4)
'Out of Breach (Manchester's Revenge)'
Release Date 2/8/2005
Tracks 11
Label Output
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Unless you're a shady label owner ("Tigerbastard"), an exploitative media land-shark ("Stop Bothering Michael Jackson"), an eBay pirate ("I'm Coming to Get You"), a cowardly DJ ("Like a Little B*tch"), a person who cuts in line at a money-exchange counter ("Extreme"), or a hater ("Haters"), there's no reason to feel truly antagonized by the second album from husband-wife duo Maurice Fulton (instruments, production) and Mutsumi Kanamori (vocals, "body fluids"). Out of Breach isn't much different from 2003's Afro Finger and Gel, flitting between left-field house that is remotely danceable and bracingly atonal sheets of noise, often within the span of one track. A couple tracks aren't much more than rewrites of highlights from the previous album, but Fulton's combination of programming and live instrumentation is so unique, sounding so little like anything DFA-related or inspired (despite a mutual love for viscous bass, clattering percussion, and handclaps), that it's easy to forgive. Kanamori is clearly the boldest force on the album, an impulsive vocalist who can be an unhinged banshee as easily as a detached pop diva, but Fulton is making some of the most inspired, least compromised productions of his long career. On "Paris Hilton," he serves up raw Chicago house, hair-ruining gusts of wind included. "We Love Guys Named Luke"'s bassline could've come from a disheveled garage rocker, while the one in "Extreme" could've come from a dapper Brit-funk player. Since the duo aren't afraid to take chances at the cost of confusing or challenging listeners, a couple moments are bound to be thought of as disposable or too bloody-minded to "get," but more than enough tracks hit the gut and hips quickly enough to make it as nastily enjoyable as Afro Finger. Best line on the album: "You think I won't break my claw/Let's not forget time in Warsaw." ~ Andy Kellman, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Mu is a Sheffield, England-based duo consisting of Baltimore-born producer Maurice Fulton and his wife, Japan-born vocalist Mutsumi Kanamori. They've made one of those albums where the song titles -- "Let's Get Sick," "Afro Finger," "Destroying Human Nature" -- provide some indication of what to expect. And yet nothing short of complete knowledge of Fulton's background, behind aliases like Eddie & the Eggs, Boof, and Hot Sauce, could prepare you for this lunatic jumble of electro-punk, left-field house, and flat-out noise. Kanamori's vocals take on almost as many forms as her husband's productions. During the nervous stutter-pummel of "Let's Get Sick," she chants with all the exasperation of someone who has been prodded with a hot poker, and then during a robo-pop breakdown, she reverts to a relaxed, wordless scat. Multiple drum patterns created by machines and humans trip over each other; a siren signals a series of bombs that are detonated. On the frizzling "Jealous Kids," Kanamori's voice is turned into a detached drone that is almost as imposing as the drums, which seem as if they're being pounded out by 500-pound mutants in a canyon. The slippery "Destroying Human Nature" features two Kanamoris in its seemingly deep-sea dwelling; one is a mush-mouthed ogre, the other a whispering seductress. She plays almost all the roles in "My Name Is Tommi," a quasi-radioplay -- backed by mechanical hum and spasmodic percussion -- inspired by an episode of the U.K. program Cheaters (a Candid Camera for two-timing lovers). For all its contorted, couldn't-give-a-damn attitude, at least half of the album is danceable and suitable for DJ sets that have the time for electronics-heavy post-punk (Fad Gadget, Cabaret Voltaire), oddball disco (Loose Joints, Was (Not Was)), and left-field dance (LCD Soundsystem, Chicken Lips). Lovers of smooth, pure deep-house should duck and cover. ~ Andy Kellman, All Music Guide
'Stories of a Broken Heart'
Release Date 3/6/2001
Tracks 10
Label Nuphonic
See Album Tracklist and Review
