Gradations

Mike Martinez aka Electric Birds has co-owned and operated the Deluxe record label since 1995. Originally based in the San Francisco Bay Area, now in Seattle, Deluxe has accumulated a diverse roster of quality releases, including Matmos (Matador), Disc (Vinyl Communications) and Mike's own project Electric Birds. From his roots playing various instruments in various bands throughout the '90s, Mike's interest in electronic music soon took over, influenced by the sounds of such labels as Warp, Chain Reaction, Minus and Mille Plateaux. Mike released his debut as Electric Birds in 2000, followed by two more albums in 2001. Other artists Electric Birds has also collaborated with and/or remixed include Matmos, Hrvatski, Starfish Pool and Llips. With Gradations, Electric Birds makes his Mille Plateaux debut in fine flair. Thoughtful and diverse, the album ranges from tones ala Vladislav Delay to guitar filled crooners that are reminiscent of Mor Music's finest. Soulful sounds from one of electronic music's most elegant sources.