Y-TON-G – KLANG(G)ARTEN (3 CD-R set by Terminal-Tape-Prod.)
ALEXANDRE ST-ONGE – UNE MACHOIRE ET DEUX TROUS (CD by Namskeio)
WINDIGER ZITTERT, METERT (Cassette Compilation by Dhyana)
ONQ – SO WAN WITH CARE (Cassette by Dhyana)
I:WOUND & Y-TON-G – MEDIENTATIVE HUNGERSTROME (Cassettes by Terminal Tapes)
FRAGMENTUM – DELIVERANCE/CON SENTIMENTO (CDR)
LE FORBICI DI MANITU – APPY POLLY LOGGY (miniCD by Moloko Plus)
ECLIPS (CD compilation by Moloko Plus)
KONK PACK – BIG DEEP (CD by Grob)
Y-TON-G – KLANG(G)ARTEN (3 CD-R set by Terminal-Tape-Prod.)
I’m pretty sure that everyone in the German scene must have seen a live
performance by Y-Ton-G, because they have an extensive tour record (and not
only in Germany, I believe). Their releases, however, have been rather
small, mostly live recordings. But then again, they are really a live band.
This CD-R set also contains live recordings, made at the Matrix (wouldn’t
know where that is, though). The title is a German word play, ‘Klanggarten’
meaning ‘soundgarden’, and ‘Klangarten’ meaning ‘species of sound’. The
first two discs hold four tracks each and the third six. The pieces are
quite light in atmosphere. A lot of different sound sources are used:
loops, drones, acoustic signals, even a synth sound (or is it only a
radio?) here and there. Some sounds are processed, other are clean. The
overall quality of the sounds is a little ‘rusty’, which gives the music
it’s unique character. The pieces develop gently and never go over the top.
Things take their time, there is no rush, no high tensions that have to be
relieved. Still, it’s really captivating. This is music to listen to when
you’re in a relaxed mood, and it’s good. Of course three CD’s is quite a
lot, but then again, you can spin one at a time and never get bored. (MR)
Adress: Terminal-Tape-Prod., Karolinenstr. 24/2, 20357 Hamburg, Germany
ALEXANDRE ST-ONGE – UNE MACHOIRE ET DEUX TROUS (CD by Namskeio)
A new label has seen the light. Namskeio is a Swiss label and this is their
first release (although the cat.nr. is 02). Next on the list are David
Maranha, Francisco Lopez, Michael Stavostrand, Aube and Osso Exotico. So
we’re talking about interesting stuff here. I’ve not heard the name of
St-Onge before, but it seems that he has released a record on Alien 8
before and is collaborating with others as well. This CD features one piece
in seven parts, all of which are based on field recordings of his mouth and
recordings of St-Onge sleeping on his doorstep with a microphone in his
mouth. Sound pretty uninteresting, right? Well, let me tell you that the
result of this material being reworked is absolutely worth checking out.
Strange squeaking sounds on top of soft hisses of various kinds create a
somewhat tense atmosphere and give the impression that something is going
to happen. But that is not the case. So in the end you’re all the time
waiting for something that doesn’t happen (that’s weird!). The dynamics
differ quite a lot in each part; number five, for example, is a really low
bass drone with clicks, a real speaker buster. This is a good and
interesting record. I’m looking forward to hearing more. (MR)
Adress: www.namskeio.com
WINDIGER ZITTERT, METERT (Cassette Compilation by Dhyana)
ONQ – SO WAN WITH CARE (Cassette by Dhyana)
I:WOUND & Y-TON-G – MEDIENTATIVE HUNGERSTROME (Cassettes by Terminal Tapes)
These tapes kept lying around, but by no means I am not interested in them.
The Dhyana compilation is a particulary nice tape of electronic music, hip
hop beats and weirdo popmusic for guitars. If the German concept of ‘fun’
is something you can laugh at, then you should not miss this one. Although
I wonder why a semi prof label like Dhyana is not converted to CD
recordable’s yet… Some of the bands involved are Klimperei, Inox Kapell,
Expose Your Eyes, Juergen Eckloff and many many more.
Onq treats us a feast on the guitar and his vocals. Naive playing and ditto
singing. A short tape, 20 minutes and still not my thing.
Elsewhere you find words about Y Ton G and some weeks ago we reviewed the
Noise Factory CDrs. As an off-shoot to those events, Y Ton G and I:Wound
held a concert in 1998 which is available as a cassette. The “rusty”
element is here present again. You can almost feel the old metal cans and
chains, rusty from years in rain. The locationsite is unknown to me, but
with the birds call, I would assume it’s outside (unless the birds arrived
on magnetic tape). This music forms a nice flow, relaxing and taking it’s
time to shape. (FdW)
Address: Dhyana – c/o Bernd Spring – Carl-Schurz Str. 29A – 86156 Augsburg
– Germany
Adress: Terminal-Tape-Prod., Karolinenstr. 24/2, 20357 Hamburg, Germany
FRAGMENTUM – DELIVERANCE/CON SENTIMENTO (CDR)
This is one of those puzzling things about CD-R releases: it looks like a
demo, but its sent as it were an official release. The titles and bandname
are rather gothic, so we got no disapointment here: it’s doomy black/bleak
ambient rumblings over synths. Long tracks over misty doodlings, a
pitchblack sea or a forest at night. It’s not great, not bad, just alright
and not so much my cup of tea.
no contact given
LE FORBICI DI MANITU – APPY POLLY LOGGY (miniCD by Moloko Plus)
ECLIPS (CD compilation by Moloko Plus)
For me Vittore Baroni is an essential key-figure in both mail-art and
cassette movement. These days he’s probably still active in mail-art (since
I’m not, I can’t tell), but also a leading voice in music journalism in
Italy and publisher of books. Musicwise he works with Enrico Marani as Le
Forbici Di Manitu (Manitu’s Scissors) and besides two weirdo projects – the
music travel CD released by Staaplaat and them remixing Lt. Murneau, an
older alter ego of Baroni (CD on Earthly Delights/Soleilmoon) – their music
is the more adventurous techno. Take for instance ‘The Feedback & The
Extended Dancer’, which is an very aptly choosen title and says it all.
Their rhythm section is ok, as in: yeah it’s danceable, but their other
sounds are wilder then on a regular techno record. Extreme intros and
extreme oscillations. Very nice CD.
The eclips which we faced in August is long forgotten. Like the
milleniumbug another mediahype. So either this compilation reached us
either too late, or is outdated by it’s late release. The music, 14 tracks
by 14 artists, is in general bumpy, which is another word for beat
oriented, but not techno. In general dark music witha forceful beats. Not
inspiring stuff in general. It’s not bad, but it’s not something that
sticks in one’s mind – or maybe I better say: my mind. Nice tracks by
Column One, Matmosphere, Tabula Rasa and Taras Bulba. For the rest its
quiet a mediocre compilation. (FdW)
Address: <ralf-friel@ferrostaal.com>
KONK PACK – BIG DEEP (CD by Grob)
If Tim Hodgkinson needs intro here, then you are either uniniated in improv
music and Henry Cow or too much of a techno head. Here good ol’ Tim on the
guitar, electronics and clarinet teams up with Thomas Lehn (watch this
name, soon he’s all over the place) on his analogue synth and Roger Turner
on percussion and drums. Yes, it’s improvised music once again. I like flat
music when I’m in the mood; I like extreme music when I’m in the mood.
Today I was running around doing ‘small’ things, cleaning up, e-mailing,
typing and mucho other household biz, and I was playing this at a
considerable volume. The aggressiveness grabbed me. It’s full speed ahead
with these boys, for the next hour there is no rest. Sound is all over the
place. Sometimes pestering quiet, and sometimes excessively loud (I grabbed
my volume control a few times). This CD, even with no laptop insight, might
appeal to the lovers of Mego for it’s unusual beeps and basses made up from
the synth. A very good CD! (FdW)
Address: <grobcologne@hotmail.com>