Do You Wanna Jack / Lost In The Sound (Gentry Ice)

• house
• acid-house
• Gentry Ice
• Adonis

It is often said that a seminal piece of music, like a fine wine, only gets better with age. From today’s perspective, we are faced with a unique opportunity to re-examine the 1988 release, “Do You Wanna Jack / Lost In The Sound” by the enigmatic Gentry Ice, and appreciate how it has ripened and matured over the years. As a double feature, the record perfectly exemplifies the sound of the era, reflecting the innovative spirit of late-80s British electronic music. The record’s four distinct tracks, each of which are bursting with energy and creativity, showcase Gentry Ice’s craftsmanship in a way that is still compelling to today’s audience.

At the time of the release, the UK electronic music scene was like a vast ocean, teeming with diverse and evolving genres. The late 80s marked a transition period when the house music imported from Chicago and Detroit began to infiltrate the British club scene, ultimately laying the foundation for the development of the UK’s distinct electronic sound. In this swirling sea of change, Gentry Ice’s “Do You Wanna Jack / Lost In The Sound” emerged as a beacon, guiding listeners to the groove-filled dancefloors.

On the A-side, the record features two mixes of “Do You Wanna Jack” – the Club Mix and the Dub Mix. These two tracks showcase Gentry Ice’s prowess in blending house, techno, and acid influences, resulting in a truly captivating musical experience. The Club Mix, clocking in at 7 minutes and 36 seconds, is a relentless, up-tempo tune that beckons listeners to the dancefloor. The rhythm is as infectious as a contagious smile, with pounding drums and a driving bassline that compels you to move your body. The infectious synth melody weaves its way through the track, like a snake gracefully slithering through the underbrush. The Dub Mix, slightly shorter at 6 minutes, offers an alternative perspective on the original, stripping back some of the more overt melodic elements and focusing on the hypnotic groove that lies beneath the surface.

It’s important to note that, in the late 80s, Gentry Ice was a pioneer in fusing the raw, unadulterated energy of the Chicago house sound with the more experimental, futuristic elements of the Detroit techno scene. This is evident in both mixes of “Do You Wanna Jack.” In these tracks, Gentry Ice pays homage to the likes of Frankie Knuckles, Marshall Jefferson, Derrick May, and Juan Atkins, while simultaneously carving out a unique niche for himself in the electronic music landscape.

On the flip side of the record, we find “Lost In The Sound,” which is a slightly more introspective and cerebral offering than its A-side counterpart. The track comes in two distinct mixes: the Lost Mix and the Can’t Stop My Fingers Mix. In the Lost Mix, Gentry Ice takes us on a sonic journey that is as mesmerizing as a kaleidoscope, drawing us deeper into the vortex of its hypnotic soundscape. The track is built around a pulsating, otherworldly synth motif that seems to hover above the rhythmic foundation like a spacecraft exploring the outer reaches of our galaxy. The Can’t Stop My Fingers Mix, on the other hand, is a more groove-oriented interpretation of the original. The rhythm section is bolstered by intricate percussion and a funky bassline, which forms the backbone of the track like a sturdy spine supporting the body of a great beast. The synth melody here is more subdued, yet it still retains the ethereal quality that defines the Lost Mix.

In many ways, “Lost In The Sound” can be seen as Gentry Ice’s nod to the ambient house and experimental electronic movements that were starting to gain traction during this period. Artists like Brian Eno, The Orb, and Aphex Twin were pushing the boundaries of what electronic music could be, and Gentry Ice’s work on this release certainly reflects a similar sensibility. It’s clear that “Lost In The Sound” embodies the producer’s desire to explore the more cerebral aspects of electronic music, while still maintaining a connection to the dancefloor.

Taking a step back and considering “Do You Wanna Jack / Lost In The Sound” as a whole, it is evident that this release encapsulates the very essence of Gentry Ice’s discography. The record represents a perfect balance between the raw, unrelenting energy of tracks like “Do You Wanna Jack” and the more experimental, ethereal nature of “Lost In The Sound.” The juxtaposition of these two sides of Gentry Ice’s artistic persona is what makes this release so unique and memorable. The record stands as a testament to the producer’s versatility and his ability to straddle different styles and genres with ease.

In terms of the themes and messages embedded within the record, one could argue that “Do You Wanna Jack / Lost In The Sound” is a celebration of the liberating power of music and dance. The record invites listeners to cast aside their inhibitions and lose themselves in the immersive world of electronic music. This sentiment is perhaps best encapsulated in the title of the A-side, “Do You Wanna Jack” – a question that seems to beckon listeners to join Gentry Ice on this exhilarating journey through sound.

It’s fascinating to consider how the release has aged over the years, as the electronic music landscape has continued to evolve and expand. In many ways, “Do You Wanna Jack / Lost In The Sound” feels like a time capsule, preserving a snapshot of a particular moment in the history of electronic music. Yet, at the same time, the record remains fresh and vibrant, resonating with contemporary audiences who continue to discover its timeless appeal.

In conclusion, Gentry Ice’s “Do You Wanna Jack / Lost In The Sound” is a masterful release that showcases the producer’s distinct musical sensibility and his ability to navigate the ever-changing landscape of electronic music. The record serves as a reminder of the innovative spirit that characterized the late 80s British electronic scene and continues to inspire new generations of artists and listeners alike. As timeless as a classic novel, the record offers a rich and rewarding listening experience that only becomes more profound and resonant with each passing year. So, to answer the question posed by Gentry Ice himself: yes, we still want to jack, and we will continue to get lost in the sound for many years to come.