- Sleeparchive, AKA Roger Semsroth, returns to Tresor with A Man Dies In The Street Pt.1. It's billed as the first of two records named after a series of photographs taken by the artist George Brassaï in 1932, which show a man's unmoving body gradually surrounded by onlookers on a rainy street in Paris. Bleak background details aside, the four tracks here rank as some of his most stripped-back efforts yet. Coming in around four minutes apiece, each shows off his trademark style of skewed, minimalist rhythms. But if you're expecting any subtlety or dynamics—which really wouldn't be a stretch, given his past work—you'll probably be disappointed. There's just not much to dig into here aside from a handful of short loops.
"1" and "2" are especially unsubstantial: the first is simply too lifeless (though maybe that's the point), and the second too timid. The B-side tracks each show a bit more club potential. "3" hits the hardest, thanks to a much-needed coat of distortion. "4" spins smoothly on the axis of a distinctly bug-eyed and bleeping three-note riff. Still, with an emphasis on repetition that's strict even by Sleeparchive's standards, I'd be surprised if A Man Dies In The Street Pt.1 strikes a chord with anyone other than his most dedicated fans.
Tracklist A1 1
A2 2
B1 3
B2 4