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[BALEARIC BEAUTY] Natural Magic, the duo of Mike McKinnon and Matthew Quiet, puts on the Limited Edition parties in Portland that are as exclusive as the name suggests. I've never been to one, but from what I understand, the fun goes down with just a handful of attendees paying big bucks for entry at a secret location. It's a reflection of the Natural Magic style: offbeat concepts paired with on-beat kick drums.
Released on the local dub-leaning Boomarm Nation label, Natural Magic's self-titled cassette stands out, with a sound that's more Donna Summer than Sister Nancy. Occasionally the weirdness ventures into overgrown areas that could use a well-wielded machete. The first 10 minutes of this continuous mix gets a little lost in its own soundscapes. But the tone really picks up with "Psychic Bugs," a midafternoon energizer characterized by Balearic beat's slower tempo and disco-forward melodies, and with the club-pleasing, bass-heavy synths of "Playa Los Muertos." Even on this, the album's darkest track, glittering arpeggios tease and flutter, and the transitions among rhythms and moods never falter.
The absolute gem on this record is the relentless, cinematic "Terminator on the Beach." Extra-wide synths reflect back and forth across a heavily vocoded voice. It's here where Natural Magic finally finds its groove and sticks to it, patiently letting the music stand on its own—no sleight of hand required.
SEE IT: Natural Magic plays the Liquor Store, 3341 SE Belmont St., with Gulls and DJ Ross Island, on Friday, April 3. 9 pm. Call venue for ticket information. 21+.
WWeek 2015