JOHN HUDAK – POND (CD by Meme)
VARIOUS – MEME (CD compilation by Meme)
If you thought that the Trente Oiseaux CD’s had not much info, then this beats it. The front cover has absolute nothing, through on the clear transparent tray we see very small the name and title, this is repeated on the back. Behind the tray is all the info – however sparse that may be. ‘Meme’ (if I am not mistaken, meaning ‘eyes’ in the Japanese) sets a very precise statement of what they want as a label. And here is straight away another comparison between the aforementioned Trente Oiseaux and Meme: both seem to delve the mines of minimal music. But with Trente Oiseaux it’s a very technical approach (in which minimal music gets maybe confused by silent music, music that is derived from a few sound sources and time stretched in samplers), and Meme seem to take a wider look. Take a look at their release schedule: Sukora, Kevin Drumm & Taku Sugimto, Stillusteypa, Climax Golden Twins, Ultrasound and Richard Young. If these are familiar names (and why not?), then you see the wider approach. Therefore the first release might be a compilation CD, which showcases many of the different approaches Meme will be doing. Ranging from pulses that slightly change (Hauswolff) to improvised music for guitar (by Jim O’Rourke, Loren Mazzacane Connors, Taku Sugimoto) and drone music by Ultrasound and it’s much dirtier brothers Rehberg/Bauer. Meme has succeeded well in setting their standards with this compilation. Others to be found here are Stillupsteypa, Ryoji Ikeda, Sukora (probably the strangest and most conceptual piece here!), John Hudak, Tamaru and M. Behrens.
The first release by one artist is by John Hudak who has been around for ages and released tons of cassettes before and this is his first CD release. Most of these tapes are derived from one sound source, and although at first hearing it may seem, are repetitive, but it’s not. Usually very minimal sound processing in a strict linear event take place. And likewise usually Hudak gives a hint at his sources in his title. ‘Pond’ therefore could have been recorded at a pond: crickets or other insect sounds in a high pitched mode and which are cleverly layered over each other. Mastered at zero dB (take a look at that, Trente Oiseaux!), it’s a very ‘present’ recording. But played, like I always do, a soft & gentle volume, it’s just a great environmental (hey ambience) recording. Sitting on the balcony, the sun goes down and the cat making his snoring sounds. As uncompromising as the CD’s by Jliat and crafted with as much skill.
Address: <meme-@msh.bglobe.ne.jp>
SOLVENT (CD by Suction Records)
More techno underground – the real stuff, the non-commercial ones that do care! Solvent from Canada have been taking lessons with the Aphex Twin (but then: who didn’t) and present a crude and raw form of techno music that may or may not be danceable. I think by presenting it on CD, rather then vinyl, these boys hint more to listeners then dancers. There is up tempo, wicked beaty stuff in here, but also slowed down pieces, like ‘Nervous’. In general a well executed CD that should appeal to all Aphex’ fans, as well as those who enjoy dance music released by Vinyl Communications.
Address: <suction@interlog.com>
Of course Minidisc is another attempt to exploit the market of digitalia, after CD, DAT, DCC and of course it has added some gadgets: you can have much more tracks numbers on a disc, it’s easier to use in loop mode, or shuffle the information. Therefore I doubt whether many people who actually own a minidisc player will have it hooked in their home stereo system, or packed next to their records for tonight DJ set… Nevertheless this is the first officially released independent minidisc only (and I’m sure it will be bootlegged to CDR by those who think that the format is just a waste of money), and it’s not hand copied, but factory manufactured. Gescom, as we all know, is one of the alter ego’s of those very intelligent technoids Autechre (my favorite in this field). So far I heard the odd piece, and a dancy 12″, but this is altogether something different.
EKTROVERDE – PINGVIN (CD by Ektro)
A new release on a fairly new Finnish label that surprised us last year with a CD by Ichtisalofamily and this one by Ektroverde might be seen as extension of that release. These boys are clearly inspired by Krautrock and their heritage (did I say Tortoise). It has less sudden moves or collage wizardry over it, and that’s o.k. It’s easy listening music, well played in the traditional rock format with excursions into jazz (as in ‘Fish’ or some of the live cuts which are also included) and mostly instrumental in the studio pieces. The four cuts that were recorded live do have vocals, and are the lesser ones on this album. But then still it’s 8 very good pieces of laid-back, slightly experimental rock music. (FdW)
Address: fax: + 358 26411426
PAUL GIOVANNI – THE WICKER MAN (Original Movie Soundtrack – CD on Trunk Records)
At last one of the best soundtracks from the seventies has been released (in mono !) for those of us who care. A while ago, I recorded the entire soundtrack including all speech to a DAT, which I listen to once in a while. The great thing about this CD is that most of the sound-effects have been removed from the music (some of them are included as additional tracks), so it can be appreciated in all it’s original glory. The film starred Edward Woodwind, Christopher Lee and a young and supple Britt Ekland (before that dirty Rod Stewart got his paws on her, I think – judging from the innocent gleam gracing her breasts on the booklet photo), who even sings vocals on one of the most seductive tracks on the CD. The plot of the film revolves around an island off the English or Scottish coast inhabited by a population of UNHOLY ! PAGANS !, who following the previous years’ crop failures have, on the advice of their (land)lord, played by Christopher Lee, decided to perform a (virgin) human sacrifice in the hopes of improving the fertility of their soil. So yea, verily they lure an unwitting policeman, peerlessly portrayed by Edward Woodward, to the island under false pretences (fucking cunning and chilling plot in this film, I tell ya’) and eventually turn him into toast at the end of the movie. Britt Ekland is placed in his path as the last temptation, but ever-faithful Eddy manages to refuse her (idiot !), as he’s engaged to be married to a mainlander, and so remains qualified for the big fry-up in an huge statue made of twigs – the ‘Wicker Man’.
Well, now that I’ve ruined the film for those of you who haven’t seen it, I strongly suggest that you do. Along with ‘Quatermass and the Pit’ it remains one of my favourites from the Seventies.
The music, which is what I’m really s’posed to be typing about here, is an amazingly subtle fusion (aargh !) of medieval music and occasional electronic instrumentation. Texts by Rabbie Burns also ornament a couple of tracks, and I highly recommend this ‘unholy grail of soundtracks’ to all lovers of the film or spooky stuff in general. (MP)
MAURIZIO BIANCHI – COLORI (CD on EEs’T Records)
I was rather surprised to find this CD in my Favourite Independent Music Shop, and as I’m quite interested in sound/colour correspondences, I took it home and was, to put it mildly, almost as disappointed as when I heard Andy Gibb had shrugged off this mortal coil. There is apparently no scientific basis for the pitches and timbre used to represent each colour and the booklet and CD cover contain some frighteningly sincere texts about Mr Bianchi’s relationship with his God. All’s well and good – if you like this sort of meandering blandness which would be more at home in a new-Beige emporium, than where I found it.
If I understood the liner notes correctly, then this music was conceived of and contemplated on for fourteen years…better that it had been released that long ago, when it might just have been considered experimental. Play this to your plants while you go to a Merzbow concert. (Who knows, perhaps Mr Akita’s music will be considered this tame fourteen years from now ?!) (LW)