RALF WEHOWSKY/BERNARD GUNTHER (3 MiniCD Set by V2 Archief)
From the small but high quality label V2 Archief we have a small
computer disc box with 3 lovely little mini CD’s in there. One is
by Wehowsky solo, one by Gunther solo, and one is a collaboration
between these two. Wehowsky, it may be known, once was the
driving force behind Selektion and P16.D4. His recent solo work
finds him working in the digital domain of sampling. His CD is
built from long stretched samples which end as abruptly as they
start. Sometimes there is highly fragmented parts, which forms
the middle part of the piece. The sounds itself are pretty
abstract, meaning it is hard to decipher which are the sound
sources. Gunther’s sound input is likewise abstract, but it
arrives at fairly different results. Most of his composition are
fragile tones which are just above/just under audible range (when
one sets the volume as with listening to any other CD). It gives
me a hard time to make a fair judgment, as I’m always afraid to
miss something. In itself the sounds Gunther uses are very nice.
This is an electronic work, more then a musique concrete thing.
The third mini CD contains a collaborative work. Here we are able
to recognize some sounds, like a door. These sounds are set
against electronic sounds. As this combines the best of both,
this is an enjoyable collaboration. A fine work. (FdW) Address:
<peterd@v2.nL>
ARTIFICIAL MEMORY TRACE -VOL.5: TH ALITY ABSFRACT (CD by
Audioview)
Audioview is a small but truly dedicated magazine, which
manifests itself now also with the first CD release. The cover is
quite badly designed, which is a pity. I never heard of this
Artificial Memory Trace. Behind this is one Slavek Kwi. By
judging from what I hear, A.M.T. uses a variety of concrete
sounds which are collaged together on a multi-track machine. Some
of these concrete sounds include environmental recordings.
Sometimes these sounds are looped (or sampled: hard to say) or
electronically treated. The result is a fine work of musique
concrete collage music, though not the best I’ve hard in these
areas. But: alas quite o.k. (FdW)
Address: <tom.kloeck@ping.be>
OUTER SPACE COMMUNICATIONS VOL.3 (CD by Disturbance)
MONOMORPH -SUBJECT TO ELECTRONIC CONTROL (CD by Disturbance)
Disturbance is still the side sister label of Minus Habens,
focusing on all sorts of dance music. The first volume of Outer
Space communications still stands as a landmark of intelligent
dance music, the second volume was alright, although not special.
The third volume is filled by mainly Italian bands (plus one from
France and two from Switzerland). You are introduced to many
unknown bands (some of which have other releases on Minus Habens
or Disturbance) who operate in many sub-genres of what is called
‘house’ music, though most of them are in the ‘intelligent
techno’ area (like Astral Body, MXP, Plastic System). Others are
more techno oriented like A3000 or Xyrex, ambient like (Pulse
Code Modulation, Monomorph), even jungle is part of this, in the
form of Frankie Bit. This volume doesn’t have the classical feel
of Volume 1, but it is varied introduction, compiled with care.
One of the bands on Outer Space Vol.3 has a new CD by themselves.
Monomorph operate in what some call ‘intelligent techno’, dance
music for the armchair minded (like I’m one). Their music reminds
me of some of the older German synth artists with a modern rhythm
section. If you like releases on Fax Records in that direction,
then you will surely like this too (even more so if you want
something less pretentious.
Address: < i.iusco@agora.stm.it>
BEEQUEEN -SUGARBUSH (CD by Raurn 312)
These two guys have been around for quite some time now and they
have released quite a bit too. Sugarbush is their third CD and
offers us, as before, nice atmospheric tracks for rainy Sunday
afternoons. But I think that the 7 pieces have been composed in a
much cleverer way than their early work. This creates a multi-
level work which will remain interesting even after a few times
listening. Previous releases were pretty much self-produced, but
Mark Poysden co-produced Sugarbush which certainly contributed to
the overall quality of this CD. Let’s see (uhh hear??) if they
can continue this on their next work. I am looking (hearing??)
forward to that.
Address: Raum 312 -P.O. Box 150 209 -28092 Bremen -Germany
m/s -PERTURBATION FIELD AND THE EQUILIBRIUM (CD by m/s) S.A.S.W.
-FINE PATTERN (Cassette by S.A.S.W.)
I received these two releases with only little information. The
CD comes a sheet with a text which is mainly in Japanese so there
may be a clue to the concept in this text. But of course I can’t
read it. m/s is Minoru Sato, an artist who makes installations.
From what I understood, the sound on this CD has been created by
one of his installations. It is that of a perturbation field by
fluorescence, and yes the material used here are two fluorescent
lamps (normalcy), an old fluorescent lamp (in normalcy:
luminescence/quenching), and a solenoid coil (LIlm,N:1200). The
lamps and the solenoid coils are placed side to side. The older
fluorescent lamp switches on and off and creates a disturbance in
the electro-magnetic field. So that’s what we hear for 74
minutes; soft crackling sounds without any changes. Boring to
some, superb to others. I especially like to listen to it on a
low volume. After a while you don’t really notice it anymore.
That is, until the CD is over. Then you get the feeling you are
missing something.
The tape has even less information. S.A.S.W. (or: searching a
stationary wave) have based Fine Patterns on “aspect” works by
m/s. There are four tracks on this tape, with a length of approx.
10 minutes each. The titles of the tracks basically indicate what
we hearl heater system, overpass, disk & streamer and an air
conditioner. It gives a nice atmosphere to your living room, if
you are into machine sounds of course. And I preferred listening
to these tracks over the m/s CD, which is just too long to listen
to regularly. Oh yeah. Both have been released in limited
editions (CD 300 copies and the tape 100 copies) so gone before
you realise it. (PD) No contact addresses.
MAGAZINES
INTERNET UNDERGROUND GUIDE is a book with a lot of info on
internet and the world wide web, including tons of addresses in
the digital domain, about many subjects (from music to fashion to
sex). Vital Weekly is not mentioned… The book comes with a mini
CD which is full of sounds that one can sample. A true source
guide in every respect.
Addressl < i.iusco~aaora.stm.it>