THE WISDOM OF HARRY + MINOTAUR SHOCK
London ROTA Sessions at Notting Hill Arts Club 2nd September 2000

I know very little about the spendidly named Minotaur Shock but today their blend of electronica isn't going down too well with the afternoon audience. Strange, because they impressed me as soon as I walked in with their half-funky, half-Aphex Twin noodlings. Some of it is admittedly a bit heavy going but they have some good ideas up their sleeves, as well as a few they've borrowed from Mr Richard D James!
It's been about a year since I last saw the Wisdom of Harry, and for today's set they've slimmed down to a duo, although the third member still seems to involved in a behind the scenes capacity.
For those of you who don't know, TWOH is normally a three-way collaboration between the songs of Pete Astor (who some of you will remember as mainman behind the Loft and the Weather Prophets in the 80s), and members of electronic/ ambient acts Ellis Island Sound and State River Widening.
They play a shorter set than usual today, but still manage to vary it nicely between Pete's (still impressive) songs and lo-fi electronica. For me, 'Caesar Boots' and the lovely 'Disney Queen' are the most impressive though the instrumental stuff works well too. Hopefully there will be a proper tour to promote the new record. Worth a look. (7/10)
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