BAGMAN - Wrap
Songs:  7 Time:  50:03
Bagman (a.k.a. Lee Fraser from Sheep on Drugs fame) is a trippy excursion into the genre of drum and bass music.  What makes Bagman stand apart from the stereotypical d ‘n b music is Lee’s constant barrage of fresh sounds and beats that infiltrate each and every track.  Rock ‘N’ Roll begins this addictive CD with spastic rolling beats, dark / pulsating rhythms, and samples delivered at an increased pitch.  The beat is ever changing, yet retains a constant pace.  Injecting a bit of world music into the mix, Bosh (Gaijin Mix) is comprised of speedy beats and subtler backing sequences made up of middle eastern string arrangements and female chanting.  Headinabag is a milder piece, with only a minimalistic rolling drum pattern and sporadic rhythmic intrusions.  As the track progresses, the music becomes more complex.  Additional background sounds are added and subtracted which adds surprise and diversity to the piece.  Another piece that follows a similar blueprint is 1 Time 4 Your Mind (3x).  This piece is driven by its breakbeat patterned percussion, but it’s not as threatening or overt as some of the other pieces.  I can see this track entering club rotation, as it’s danceable enough without sending any fans into cardiovascular arrest as they attempt to dance to it.  It was always quite apparent that the d ‘n b scene had some influence on Sheep on Drugs’ music and it is now that we see which member was the admirer of such music.  Although Bagman’s sound could be coupled / grouped into the same scene as the current tide of d ‘n b musicians, at the same time it manages to steer clear of being considered trendy.  Wrap is not for the passing fan of drum ‘n bass, but it seems to be more geared toward the avid lovers and followers of the scene and electro fans alike.
     
INVISIBLE RECORDS             
P.O. Box 16008
Chicago, IL 60616
INVISIBLE homepage:
http://www.invisiblerecords.com
       
Bagman is:
Lee Fraser