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So we have ‘Primitives’, a DVD containing short films of live A/V content alongside an executable version of the software and the source code plus a 12” record containing four commissioned interpretations by Spatial himself, Broken20’s TVO, Bass Clef and Sculpture aimed somewhat more at the dancefloor. The combination of media represent the totality of the ‘Primitives’ experience.

The accompanying 12”, Spatial kicks off, his almost-4/4 beats underpinning skippy percussion and no little bass heft. Insectoid whines hover around the demarcations of tonality while dubbed out squawks bounce back against themselves and oppressive drones linger offstage.

The TVO|SPL interpretation immediately suggests a muscular tone and that’s borne out in torn percussive shards, squealing feedback intervals and clattering loops, but it keeps one eye on the ‘floor with techno thump and a skewed hypnotic groove. There are breakdowns of some sort in there, but they may not be musical.

Bass Clef showcases broken Eski: sparse rippling synths rail against a square bass chassis and disembodied spring reverb claps, before ghosts enter the machine as pensive chords and tinkling melodies that recall classic electronica. It’s classic Cumbers.

“Opto-musical agglommerate” Scuplture are turning heads, and their freeform rework of ‘Primitives’ doesn’t disappoint. Part Herbie Hancock, part Farmers Manual, it’s a heady concoction of reclaimed modal drones and glassy hits that takes the source material and launches it inward.

Overall, it’s difficult to imagine these interpretations growing from the austere and brutal shapes of the ‘Primitives’ installation, still more to grasp how they manage to imbue strains of its character throughout. Alongside the wealth of supporting material, the full package of ‘Primitives’ showcases nothing so much as the purity of a pliable concept extended through time and space.