Latest CD releases reviewed

PLAID & BOB JAROC
Greedy Baby Warp

This audiovisual album collaboration between Warp lifers Plaid and video-maker Bob Jaroc has been a long time in the wash. Over the last four years, Plaid's Ed Handley and Andy Turner have worked on music written specifically with surround-sound systems in mind and with an eye, too, on Jaroc's visuals. Developed largely on the back of audio-visual live shows featuring both sides, Greedy Baby is certainly soundscaped with widescreen projections in mind. Moody, dense and often claustrophobic, the majority of pieces consist of layer upon layer of found sounds and synthesised soft-toned beeps, each sculpted to scale cinematic peaks. Sometimes, it does work (as in The Return of Super Barrio) and you can sense Plaid's enthusiasm as the track locks into a bracing momentum. But there are other tracks here that could have done with a lot more focus to prevent their aimless, plotless meandering. www.warprecords.com Jim Carroll