The Fifth Mission

Andrew Weatherall and Keith Tenniswood's first full length album as Two Lone Swordsmen was a six sides of vinyl journey called The Fifth Mission (Return To The Flightpath Estate), released in 1996. If TLS was about Weatherall and Tenniswood refining  and perfecting a techno sound, it isn't immediately obvious here (that would be 2000's six sides of vinyl Tiny Reminders). The Fifth Mission is rich, cinematic and complex, a drive through a city with a surprisingly full sound taking in all kinds of dance styles, from Big Man Original's uber-bass riff, the Kraftwerkian Beacon Block, the chattering funkiness of Gang Sweep Shuffling. Enemy Haze, all phased guitars, a track that can make me feel stoned just by listening to it. Side six is led by the jazzy double bass of Rico's Helly with drums borrowed from two-step. Throughout the album there is a certain Weatherallian moodiness but also hooks, loads of hooks. Machine music made by people, real life stuff. If you haven't got it, you should get it. Might cost you a bit but worth every penny.

Enemy Haze