One of the most obscure artists of the U.K. experimental/intelligent techno scene (particularly given his output),
Bedouin Ascent's
Kingsuk Biswas is an impressive force of influence in the areas of overlap between the more ponderous extents of ambient, electro, techno, and drum'n'bass. Recording originally for Rising High before that label shut doors in early 1996,
Biswas' early 12"s and debut LP, Science, Art and Ritual, were set more squarely in the experimental ambient/techno camp. As the U.K. underground music scenes tended ever increasingly toward entropy, however,
Bedouin Ascent's music has followed suit, shifting to leadership status after 1995's astounding Music for Particles LP, as well as remixes for the Rising High Collective,
Tortoise, Slack Dog, and others. Generally employing a heavily syncopated method of downtempo drum'n'bass with crisp, shattering snares set in complex patterns and deep, extended bass drones,
Biswas often pairs sampled percussion with more typical 808 and 909 drum sounds, recalling the lino-square jaunts of
Man Parrish and
Cybotron as well the experimental junglists such as Plug,
Witchman, and
Squarepusher.
Biswas is also one of only a handful of artists who have succeeded in fusing elements from these disparate genres in a fashion wholly irreducible to any single category. In addition to his Rising High releases,
Biswas has also issued material through the Leaf, Lo, and Blue Angel labels, as well as collaborated with
Justin Broadrick and Kevin Martin of
Techno Animal and electro-acoustician
Jim O'Rourke. ~ Sean Cooper