HIIIT — SIIIX, Vol. 3

Percussion ensemble HIIIT returns with the third instalment in their collaborative electronic series, SIIIX. As the name would imply, HIIIT worked with six other artists to come up with the tracks for this latest volume, each sharing/manipulating material in a two-way exchange, unlike many compilations of this sort. In this way, both artists have a say at how the other's is shaped and moulded, and the interplay/interweaving is stronger and more intense. This leads to tracks that have more rigid intent and feel more like compositions instead of improvisations. But, at the heart of it all is the percussion, and fans of putting on headphones and zoning out to an ambulatory beat should take note, as all six pieces move fluidly and effortlessly.

Centered around lightly experimental electronic percussion, SIIIX is an engaging collection of tracks that moves quickly and head-noddingly through one's speakers. WIth the collaborative approach, even having HIIIT represented on each track doesn't mean a motif will be present throughout, so each piece can and should be enjoyed as its own work, and will be looked at accordingly. "Waltz of the Fossils" starts off the compilation, and puts the collective with Lemna out of Japan. This one has a very organic feel to it, from the sound of the percussion to the nature sounds in the background. While the elements are meditative by design, their tempo and layering are more energized, almost feeling like a euphoric part of an entheogenic experience. A shamanistic groove, so to speak. 33EMBWY joins the crew next for "The Disorientation of Dagobert." Changing directions quickly from the first, this piece is frantic in both pace and runtime. Mixing the highs with the lows, bell-like tones with breakbeats, this is a great example of how varied sources and techniques can come together to create a coherent whole. It's reminiscent of early 2000's Kid606 and the Tiger Beat stuff to me, and that's a good thing. "Jaw" and Jung An Tagen follow up and add a bit more space into the mix. Textures that make good use of the stereo cross and keep the brain moving while a few different beats go on behind it. Like the air stage in a videogame, the listener is the protagonist trying to hit the next moving platform while the bullets fly, the cloud throws bombs, and the background animation does its own thing. HIIIT with Slikback make it a bit darker with "Anvil," and the title certainly hints at the industrial vibe that is at the heart of this one. Quickly moving, this is like a movie theme, something you could see in a Terminator chase or something of that ilk, but far more engaging. Not too far removed from the opener, "Başıboş" has Konduku join up for a bit of handpan and wood block that is natural and vibrant, echoed and effervescent. Quite an uplifting number, this shines even brighter following up the darker "Anvil." Toumba and HIIIT close it out with a breaky, dubby, lil bit of electronics on "Amwaj." On the IDM side, this track is a well done piece that is layered and well put together, and the brightness to the "instrumentation" gives that sunshower sorta vibe. It's happy but also a tad dark, but in a subtle way, and is a fantastic end to the compilation.

SIIIX, Vol 3 is a brief and energetic bit of electronic percussion that utilizes the collaborative efforts of all its participants wonderfully. All the songs have their own feel and direction, and the album flows very well. With all the songs based around percussion, the tracks seem to move quicker than they do, the album ends before you realize, and you're hitting play to experience it all over again. With SIIIX, that's a very good thing, as it gets better with each successive spin.