peter broderick & machinefabriek - blank grey canvas sky

on my turntable

peter broderick &
machinefabriek
blank grey canvas sky
FB012DD

Available on LP / CD / Download



image: ©fang bomb


Machinefabriek (Rutger Zuyzervelt) (Machinefabriek) teams up with another prolific artist, this time Berlin-based Peter Broderick, and allows us to benefit from this rather splendid collaboration. Includes dreamy vocals by Susanna Lundgren on one track. Perfect for those blank dark winter evenings. Highly recommended. one2zero

"Zuydervelt's heavily processed drone-weaving is countered by luscious acoustic instrumentation [...] and these two prolific artists make a good job of integrating their respective approaches. [...] a very natural collaboration: while Machinefabriek often converges on the classical and cinematic, Broderick's instrumental music is rendered with a discerning producer's ear. [...] Gorgeous. " (© Boomkat )

Web:
machinefabriek fang bomb peter broderick

Download:
Boomkat

the vaselines - edinburgh

The Vaselines at the Picture House, Edinburgh 09 Oct. 2009

image © flickr widow

Another image from my occasional series featuring concert photographs, graphic artwork and anything to do with the world of music. This one is of another of those reformed bands from yesteryear, The Vaselines. Photo taken by Flickr Widow, when the band opened for Seattle grungemeisters Mudhoney, at the Picture House in Edinburgh last month. I would have loved to have seen the show as they're one of the few bands from a certain period in time that I never got the chance to see play. Excellent indie-pop band, I recommend their entire discography. As an introduction to their music, it would be worthwhile getting your hands on the recent reissue compilation, Enter The Vaselines on SubPop. one2zero

my space the vaselines wiki

ursula bogner - recordings 1969-1988

on the turntable:

ursula bogner
recordings 1969-1988
faitiche 01cd

Buy / Order:
faitiche
boomkat

image: japanese forms


Another album that I completely missed out on upon it's initial release in 2008. Here, Jan Jelinek enjoys a little joke under the guise of one Ursula Bogner. A bit of hoax but a rather enjoyable one and lets hope that a second promised volume will see the light of day soon. As Boomkat so rightly puts it: "it wouldn't be unreasonable to think of Bogner as a hausfrau version of Daphne Oram, or a Deutsch Delia Derbyshire" - so if you like anything that those two pioneers in the radiophonic/electronic music field ever made you'll surely love this. Wonderful.

Packaging is, as with the gesellschaft zur emanzipation des samples release, is first class: fold-out card sleeve with heavy-duty 8 page illustrated paper booklet affixed inside; filling us in on Ursula's "career" and track recording details. Text in English. Recommended. one2zero.

An exhibtion about Bogners work, sketches, notations will open at the Laura Mars Gallery, Berlin, in mid-December 2009.
In february, 2010, faitiche03, a collaboration between Masayoshi Fujita + Jan Jelinek will be released. In addition, Faitiche are issuing a 7" version of circulations (featuring 4 tracks from the cd version + 1 exclusive track) in the coming weeks.

jan jelinek faitiche
___________________________________________________________________
Jan Jelinek on the release:
In the late 1960s, Ursula Bogner started to record her own music on reel-to-reel tapes. With some of these titles, we only found individual tracks of pieces recorded on a four-track-recorder – in these cases, I had to recombine the separate tracks to recreate the original piece. Unfortunately, I could not involve Ursula Bogner in the mixing process as she passed away in 1994. Invoking the original’s authenticity might seem insensitive, yet there was no other way to release them in their entirety. Ultimately, only three of the tracks featured on this CD/LP are such ‘reworkings’. [...] a further compilation is already in the works. ©jan jelinek - (more)

machinefabriek - loops for voerman

on my turntable

machinefabriek
loops for voerman
VOERMAN
3" cdr release



image: ©japanese forms



Yet another limited edition 3" CDR (100 copies) from the industrious Rutger Zuyzervelt (Machinefabriek). This recording is a soundtrack to Dutch artist Rob Voerman's sculptures. Also available as a download.
A 2nd edition has now been released on CD featuring slightly different artwork. one2zero

"Despite only delivering a handful of new works this year, each new release has brought with it something new to the table, with this remarkable 15 minute disc containing the most intensely affecting Machinefabriek recording since last year's career-defining 'Dauw'. [...] Very highly recommended. " (© Boomkat )

Web:
machinefabriek rob voerman

Download:
Boomkat

moritz von oswald trio - vertical ascent

on the turntable:

moritz von oswald trio
vertical ascent
HJRCD45

Buy / Order:
Honest Jon's or Boomkat

2LP / CD / mp3 download

image: japanese forms


Recommended. I'll go along with what Honest Jon's and Boomkat have to say below about this wonderful release. Beautiful packaging as well. one2zero

"... a dream crossing of classic Berlin techno, On-The-Corner Miles Davis, Larry Heard and Can, as at home with calypso as it is Stravinsky." © Honest Jon's


" Moritz Von Oswald is a name that needs little introduction to anyone who has followed Techno, Dub or any kind of electronic music over the last 15 years. [...] His most recent project has attempted to consolidate the studio processes which have defined the majority of his output with a live or improvisational element as part of his "trio" including the capable skills of sound designers Vladislav Delay aka Sasu Ripatti and Max Loderbauer of Sun electric and more recently NSI fame. The trio have performed some dozen live shows over the last two years, featuring Ripatti at the drummers stool, Loderbauer contributing synths and live electronics, and Moritz in control of live mixing effects and organ. 'Vertical Ascent' is essentially the best parts of these live improv sessions, edited, tweaked and mixed to perfection by mixmaster Moritz [...] " (more) ©Boomkat

kraftwerk - remastered

on the turntable:

kraftwerk
trans-europa express / the man-machine / computerworld
(remastered editions)
mute cdstumm305
mute cdstumm306
mute cdstumm307

LP/ CD / mp3 download
Buy / Order:
mute records

image: japanese forms

Like the Can remasters series issued by Mute a couple of years ago these Kraftwerk (remastered) reissues are highly recommended. The sound quality is excellent -so much more satisfying than the CD editions that have been around for quite a long time- and Mute and KlingKlang have done a fine job.

One bad point; although each individual release (8 album boxset available soon) comes in a card slipcase, and includes new artwork and photographs, one thing that really disappoints me is the fact that they're packed in those run-of-the-mill, awful jewel-cases. I suppose, like many admirers of the band, that most of us would have preferred that the individual albums be released in the 'mini-vinyl' card wallet packaging that has been reserved for the boxset only. one2zero

"In 2009 Kraftwerk have upgraded their Kling Klang masters with the latest studio technology and these eight magnificent recordings still sound like nothing else in the history of music. Kraftwerk are unique, pristine, profound and beautiful. Decades may pass, but their streamlined synthetic symphonies stand outside time, as fresh as tomorrow, transcendent and sublime." © mute

tortoise - beacons of ancestorship remixes

on the turntable:

tortoise
eye / mark ernestus
beacons of ancestorship remixes
thrill 1234

12" / mp3 download

Buy / Order:
Thrill Jockey
Boomkat

image: thrill jockey


Unfortunately, due to general lack of time to check out what's being released on lots of labels, I missed out on getting this limited edition (1500) release on vinyl. As with a few other releases this year, i'll have to make do with an mp3 download. In fact, this is the very first time I haven't been able to obtain a copy of a new Tortoise recording on a format other than mp3. Well, I might get lucky and find a copy later. Anyhow, as with the legendary remixes the band did a few years back with the likes of Jim O'Rourke, Unkle, Stereolab, Autechre, Derrick Carter, etc. these two remixes, by Eye of Boredoms fame and Basic Channel's dubmaster Mark Ernestus, are pretty awesome and an absolute must. I was a bit disappointed with the Beacons... album but these remixes have urged me to go back and give it a few more listens. Remixes 12" is highly recommended. one2zero


" Mark Ernestus [...] sticks close to the original material of 'Gigantes' but skillfully embellishes the elements he connects with, buffing the amplified brass [...] so that they beam out of the mix while the drums are loosely edited for a more efficient dancefloor effect with a flow between hi-life, rock and broken beat. Ernestus' skill here lies in his knowledge of the dancefloor and the subtle but robust dub-based balancing of elements that comes with his years of experience behind the mixing desk ... " (more) ©Boomkat

thrill jockey tortoise

jim o'rourke - united red army (soundtrack)

on the turntable:

jim o'rourke
united red army
(soundtrack)
CDSOL-1258

Buy / Order:
Ultra-Vybe
Honest Jon's

image: japanese forms


Japanese import of Jim O'Rourke's soundtrack to the Wakamatsu movie based on Japanese student-radical extremism in the early seventies and the true story of the United Red Army faction. Pretty much the usual fare from O'Rourke with lots of guitar-based pieces but also some rock and a zest of free jazz. Excellent and highly recommended for any fan of the great man's music. one2zero

"Soundtrack of underground director Koji Wakamatsu's new docudrama about 1970s Japanese youth resistance, and the Japanese Red Army — directed and performed by Jim O'Rourke." ©Honest Jon's

united red army jim o'rourke

drag city domino records

tomasz bednarczyk - let's make better mistakes tomorrow

on the turntable:

tomasz bednarczyk
let's make better mistakes tomorrow
12k1055

Buy / Order: 12k

Boomkat

image: japanese forms



tomasz bednarczyk myspace
Let’s Make Better Mistakes Tomorrow is the third full-length CD from the young Polish musician Tomasz Bednarcyzk. Following Summer Feelings and Painting Sky Together (Room40), Bednarczyk naturally continues his process of utilizing mainly treated piano and guitar to create fragile, lingering structures that hover around only a few fundamental notes.©12k - (more)

machinefabriek & gareth davis - ghost lanes

on my turntable

machinefabriek &
gareth davis

ghost lanes
3" cdr release

image: ©japanese forms

Available as a limited edition 3" CDR (100 copies). Contrary to their previous collaboration I managed to get my grubby mitts on this one. Unavailable almost as soon as it was issued it'll be difficult to find a copy. All I have to say is that it's another excellent recording from Rutger Zuyzervelt (Machinefabriek) and clarinetist Gareth Davis. The pair are apparently working on a full album together which should see the light of day pretty soon I imagine. Anyhow, as the Boomkat review mentions his name, anyone who likes the sublime Arve Henriksen should love this as well.
Lovingly packaged in a plastic slipcase, Ghost Lanes comes as per usual with one of Rutger's (original?) postcards. one2zero

"The timbral mixture these two concoct is an alchemic blend of elegant guitar drones, crackling, uninterpretable field recordings and cawing reeds. At times Davis' contrabass playing brings to mind the avant-garde, self-distorting trumpet style of Arve Henriksen; at once lyrical and unnatural, but a resoundingly unique voice nonetheless." (© Boomkat )

Web:
machinefabriek gareth davis

Download:
Boomkat

gareth davis & machinefabriek - soundlines

on my turntable

gareth davis &
machinefabriek
soundlines
mp3 release

image: ©machinefabriek

Available as a limited edition 3" CDR (100 copies) or as a MP3 download. Unfortunately I missed out on this release and, much to my regret, will have to make do with the MP3 version. Another delicious little masterpiece from Rutger Zuyzervelt (Machinefabriek) who teams up this time with clarinetist Gareth Davis for this preview of a full, forthcoming album by the pair. one2zero

"...fabulous, mysterious sounds are anything to go by, [the album] will be a very exciting release indeed. In the meantime, here's a recording that even the most Machinefabriek-fatigued listeners should check out." (© Boomkat )

Web:
machinefabriek gareth davis

Download:
Boomkat

stephan mathieu + taylor deupree : transcriptions

on the turntable:

stephan mathieu +
taylor deupree
transcriptions
KK019

Buy / Order:
spekk
boomkat



image: japanese forms


taylor deupree
stephan mathieu



"This inaugural collaborative outing from microsound maestros Taylor Deupree and Stephan Mathieu marks a creative partnership between two of the most influential electronic musicians of their generation. Both have made consistently brilliant solo albums over the past decade, and so it’s with no small amount of excitement that we set about listening to their first foray as a duo."
©boomkat - (more)

william basinski - 92982

on the turntable:

william basinski
92982
2062.0901

Buy / Order:
2062
forced exposure


image: japanese forms


william basinski

I've been listening to Basinski for quite a few years now -in fact, ever since I discovered The River on Raster-Noton in 2002 (remastered/reissued 2007)- and have never ceased to be amazed by the fabulous recordings that he releases from his tape loop archives. Based on source material dating from 1982 this album features some of Basinski's best material since the phenomenal, post 9/11, 4 volume Disintegration Loops [Stylus review] set. An album for all those who appreciate Basinski's oeuvre. Faded minimalism at its most. one2zero.
___________________________________________________________________
William Basinski on this release:
Something from a long time ago...in Brooklyn, 351 jay street...A fruitful evening in the studio... It's crunchy, it's distorted... it's basinski archive circa 1982. The third track some of you may recognize: a shorter version was included as variation #8 on Variations: A Movement in Chrome Primitive. So, this night in the studio spawned a direction I would follow for some time. As I love this document of that night, I thought you might like to put what came later into context, so I'm releasing this archival recording. The last track is a newly recorded reprise of the first track that I recorded with the original loop in February 2009 in Los Angeles. -- William Basinski, March, 2009 ©william basinski - (more)

throbbing gristle at the tramway, glasgow

images © monkeyiron & jase mueller

Throbbing Gristle at the Tramway, Glasgow 17 June 2009

A new and occasional series featuring concert photographs, graphic artwork and anything really to do with the world of electronic music. This first post starts of with a couple of images by monkeyiron and jase mueller taken at the recent Throbbing Gristle concert in Glasgow. Anyone who likes TG would be well advised to check out the other, wonderful photographs taken by the Glasgow pair at the show. one2zero

tramway throbbing gristle

gesellschaft zur emanzipation des samples - circulations

on the turntable:

gesellschaft zur emanzipation des samples
circulations
faitiche 02cd

Buy / Order:
faitiche
boomkat

image: japanese forms


jan jelinek faitiche

At around 20 minutes in all this is more an EP than a full album but Jan Jelinek's latest recording project is a sampadelic masterpiece as well as a chef d'oeuvre in the art of plunderphonics. Although I like it less than his previous releases (notably: Kosmischer Pitch & La Nouvelle Pauvreté on ~Scape ) this audio collage is a real pleasure to listen to and a recording that I'll be coming back to more than on the odd occasion. My only complaint being that it's too short but one can imagine the tremendous amount of work involved in putting together this superb item. Packaging is also first class: fold-out card sleeve with heavy-duty 8 page, illustrated paper booklet affixed inside with text in English & German. Recommended. one2zero.
___________________________________________________________________
Jan Jelinek on the release:
G.E.S. is no official entity, but rather a rough idea, an association without membership or manifestation committed to one primary and pragmatic notion: financial backing and legal support in case of active breaches of copyright – the process of sampling.©jan jelinek - (more)

lawrence english - a colour for autumn

on the turntable:

lawrence english
a colour for autumn
12k1052

Buy / Order: 12k


image: japanese forms




lawrence english website

A Colour For Autumn is the second in a series of editions from Australian sound artist Lawrence English that trace the experience of seasonal transit. Following on from For Varying Degrees of Winter (published by Baskaru), A Colour For Autumn reflects on and explores the transitory nature of Autumn - counterpointing the uniformity of the ‘term’ with the varied qualities expressed by landscapes in different countries.©12k - (more)

available now from 12k

images: © taylor deupree & stephen vitiello - design: taylor deupree 12k


pillowdriver sleeping pills 12k1054

molly berg & stephen vitiello the gorilla variations 12k2013

pillowdriver - molly berg

stephen vitiello

Also available as mp3 downloads.

Buy + Download details: 12k

sonic youth - sensational fix

on the coffee table:

sonic youth
sensational fix
exhibition catalogue





Fantastic 720 page Sonic Youth "Sensational Fix" exhibition catalogue. Bilingual edition (french/english). one2zero

image: ©japanese forms




Buy:
les presses du réel

re-posts

Thanks to Feedshow RSS Reader I've managed to salvage lots of the posts that I thought had been lost forever when I accidentally deleted this blog a couple of weeks back. Anyone who wants to check them out can do so by clicking the various names in the labels section. one2zero


image: atrocity exhibition

pixel - the drive

on the turntable:

pixel
the drive
rn-106

raster-noton

pixel

image: ©japanese forms


Imagine you're lying, dozing in your garden, or in a park somewhere, on a warm, sunny afternoon; you can hear the distant drone of an airplane; the hum from the endless stream of cars and trucks on the outskirts of the town; and the far off beat of some neverending rave fading in and out across the distance... all mixed together. This is what this album sounds like to me. At least that's been my first impression and... I like it. In fact, I like it much more than the snd release (featured below) on the first listen. Both discs are, however, much better than most of the dross you'll hear in your average day but don't expect to hear them in your local superette. one2zero

Read what raster-noton says:

"Pixel’s third album `the drive` is meant to be the soundtrack to his imaginary journey by car across the U.S.A., a road movie encoded in the track list. with warm and deep guitar amplifier hiss and feedback in connection with floating rhythms he creates very organic sound patterns. the music might evoke images of deserts, chemical warfare plants, rugged landscapes, rocket takeoffs and hectic suburban night life." (© - raster noton)

Also available as mp3 download.

Buy:
raster-noton

Download:
raster-noton

snd - atavism

on the turntable:

snd
atavism
rn-107

raster-noton

snd

image: ©japanese forms


Second-only release on the raster-noton label for snd, this is the follow-up album to the Blir compilation that included some rare tracks from hard-to-find 12inchers as well as some new recordings. That was issued way back in 2005! So any fan of the raster-noton label will be more than happy to see this brand new release from the snd duo of minimal-techno meisters Mark Fell and Mat Steel. I really enjoyed the 4,5, 6, EPs released last year but like this a lot less than the other discs released on the r-n label so far this year (notably those by atom™ & alva noto). Not to worry though as I'll probably grow to like it after I've given it a good few listens.
As with other r-n releases; the packaging -including inversed, embossed album title is beautiful.


Also available as mp3 download.

Buy:
raster-noton

Download:
raster-noton

forthcoming from 12k

images: ©12k

lawrence english a colour for autumn 12k1052

seaworthy 1897 (limited edition cd+book) 12k1053

lawrence english - seaworthy

Also available as mp3 downloads.

Buy + Download details: 12k

alva noto - xerrox vol.2

alva noto
xerrox vol.2
rn-103

raster-noton

image: ©japanese forms


I've been following the releases on raster-noton, and listening to most of the label's output, for quite some time now and this latest alva noto offering is again up to the label's high standard. A companion -follow up- to last year's Xerrox 1 and an excellent piece it is. Lavishly and beautifully packaged, as is usually every release on r-n, this Vol.2 in the series is, in my mind, one of the best ever from noto. Those who've already listened to Ekkehard Ehlers' Plays John Cassavetes or William Basinski's The Disintegration Loops vol.1 will find that Xerrox 2's opening track is very similar to the Ehlers and Basinski pieces but all in all this is an absolute must have for all serious lovers of electronic music.

Also available as an mp3 download.

Buy:
raster-noton

Download:
raster-noton

machinefabriek - ijspret

machinefabriek
ijspret
cdr - business card

machinefabriek

image: ©japanese forms

Well, it's back to business with one2zero -a blog which I've been running for at least four years but which, much to my dismay, I accidentally deleted in it's entirety the other week.
I've restarted with the recording that was featured in the last post of the previous version of this blog. Sorry, but I can't retrieve any of the posts that were once here but I've started an image bank (see sidebar) which will feature some of the artwork photographs that I had posted. Expect another new post soon.

A very nice collector's item indeed is this 3" CDR business card featuring Machinefabriek's latest release, IJspret. Available only in a limited edition of 100 so for anyone who wants to get hold of a copy, you'll have to be quick. Also available as a mp3 download from Boomkat.

Buy:
machinefabriek

Download:
Boomkat

machinefabriek + stephen vitiello - music box

on the turntable:

machinefabriek
+ stephen vitiello
music box
12k1048


image: japanese forms



This album was released a few months back but machinefabriek (alias rutger zuydervelt), despite the fact he has released quite a considerable amount of recordings, is an artist that I only just discovered with the release of the recent ijspret (see my 23, Jan. 2009 post); so I have a lot of catching up to do and you can expect to see more work by machinefabriek featured here soon. In fact, the next one2zero post will be on the business card cdr of ijspret.

Buy / Order: 12k

aiff-tiff - raster-noton

on the turntable:

aiff-tiff
booklet & cd
idea / raster-noton

image: japanese forms

60 page booklet and compilation CD which features tracks from recent RN releases by alva noto, Byetone, Frank Bretschneider and Signal. Booklet features all the aspects of the raster-noton audio visual concepts and photography. (one2zero)

Buy aiff-tiff from raster-noton

machinefabriek - ijspret

on the turntable:

machinefabriek
ijspret
no cat. N° ijspret

image: machinefabriek
Four track mini EP available only as a download from Boomkat. Clocking in at less than seven minutes ijspret reminds me somewhat of Pan American from the River Made No Sound / Quiet City era. Sparse acoustic guitar and some background voices give the whole recording a winterish feel -which going by the Boomkat review is exactly what was intended. Very nice but a bit on the short side. (one2zero)

Buy & Download ijspret from Boomkat

ghost box - rutual & education

on the turntable:

ghost box (v/a)
ritual and education
no cat. N°

image: ghost box

Excellent sampler from the Ghost Box label only available in download format. Features tracks from all of the bands on the labels' roster; Belbury Poly; The Focus Group; Mount Vernon Arts Lab; etc. etc. (one2zero)




Download / Buy - Ritual and Education from Ghost Box

fennesz - black sea

on the turntable:

fennesz
black sea
TOUCH # TO:76


image: japanese forms


While I'm a bit disappointed with this release ( - I'll probably get to like it more after a few more listens - ) the new Fennesz album is still one of the best discs I've invested in recently. I wouldn't recommend it as a starting point for those who are not aware of his recordings or haven't heard any of his stuff (-try Endless Summer or Venice-) but I'd say some of the tracks are up to his usual high standard; The Colour of Three and Saffron Revolution being, in my opinion, the standout tracks. You can get a full rundown on the album at the ever-reliable Boomkat site. (one2zero)


Buy Black Sea at: Boomkat / Touch

Download Black Sea :
from Boomkat

nhk - unununium

on the turntable:

nhk
unununium
rn-111


NHK is a collaboration of Kouhei Matsunaga and Toshio Munehiro who have been working together since 2006 when they both lived in Osaka. Kouhei started making music back in 1992 focusing on rather experimental compositions. he has been working with various artists such as Merzbow, Asmus Tietchens, Sean Booth (Autechre) and Pan Sonic’s Mika Vainio. On NHK EP Kouhei and Toshio are turning towards rough digital techno.(© raster_noton)

"If you've been feeling the latest direction of Alva Noto's new Unitxt project or Byetone's recent remix work, and got a good buzz from the Ae album, this is most certainly for you. ULTRA ULTREA HEAVYWEIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" (Boomkat)

Unununium is a available on vinyl only from raster-noton or as a download from Boomkat. (one2zero)

Download Unununium : from Boomkat

kenneth kirschner - filaments & voids

on the turntable:

kenneth kirschner
filaments & voids
12k1050

Buy / Order: 12k


image: japanese forms



A subdued chord, and a subsequent quiet. A hovering drone, followed by a compelling absence of sound. True to its title, Filaments & Voids is comprised predominantly by one or the other: by carefully constructed audio of lingering delicacy or by singular silences of ambiguous depth. Over the course of two discs and nearly two and a half hours of music, composer Kenneth Kirschner focuses the listener’s attention on the silence inherent in his sounds, and the sounds implicit in silence. Like the night sky evoked by the album’s title, the music heard on Filaments & Voids is a broad and dark space inhabited by dispersed and luminous materials. ©12k - (more)

arve henriksen

on the turntable:

arve henriksen
cartography
ECM 2086

Undoubtedly one of the best albums of 2008 from Supersilent mainman, Arve Henriksen. Anyone who appreciates legendary trumpet players; Miles Davis, Don Cherry, Jon Hassell will truly love this album. Magnificent follow-up to Henriksen's previous solo masterpieces,Strjon and Chiaroscuro (Rune Grammofon). Features David Sylvian on two tracks.(one2zero)

image: ecm

A shifting cast of characters, with live sampling man and album co-producer Jan Bang at the centre, provides a series of soundscapes, an ambient-experimental map of moods, for the uniquely liquid, singing trumpet lines of Arve Henriksen to scale and explore. Some tracks are recorded live in concert, others are studio creations. Singer David Sylvian reads his own poetry on two cuts.(© ECM)

For a full review of this album I suggest you check out the excellent, personal miscellany at eleventh volume.

Links: arve henriksen / supersilent / eleventh volume (review) / myspace /

Available from Boomkat

fennesz - safron revolution

on the turntable:

fennesz
saffron revolution
TOUCH # TO:76D

While we patiently wait for the release of the new album from Fennesz (Black Sea), Touch have released a rather tasty sampler from it entitled Saffron Revolution. Only available as a one-track digital download and with the new album not being released for another couple of weeks; Saffron Revolution is a highly recommended download. (one2zero)

image: touch records

Download Saffron Revolution :

from Boomkat or Bleep in the UK
from Thrill Jockey in the US via Fina-Music.

koushik

on the turntable:



koushik
out my window
STH2174


image: japanese forms

I've been listening to Koushik ever since I first heard his "Battle Times" ep on Kieran Hebden's (Four Tet)Text Records way back in 2001. Although I really liked "Be With" (album & ep), as well as all of his other releases (under his own name), this is his best yet.
Hip-hop-based, downbeat 60s psych-pop, indeed! (one2zero)


See here for more reviews, discography, images and more details on Koushik.

Buy / Order: Stones Throw

amplifier machine - her mouth is an outlaw

Available October 2008

amplifier machine
her mouth is an outlaw
12k1049

Buy / Order: 12k




amplifier machine @ myspace


Amplifier Machine began in 2002 with James Dixon (Swordfish, Supagroop, James Dixon) on guitar, Korg & piano, Seth Rees (The Spheres, This Is Your Captain Speaking, I Want A Hovercraft, Seth Rees) on drums, violin, samples, piano & guitar and Alex Jarvis (Automatic, Black Cab, Registered Nurse, Alex Jarvis) on guitar & drums, with the intention of combining their songwriting talents. Something about getting three solo artists together, or maybe something about what rehearsing for so long in a freezing Collingwood warehouse does to the brain, caused the pop-bred members of Amplifier Machine to spiral out into a peculiar music of inquisitive, atmospheric, half-improvised mini-epics. Amplifier Machine is a self-described experiment inanemocratic process and near-improvisation (anemocracy = rule by whim or the wind). Through earnest discussion and endless unending jams, Amplifier Machine came upon The Rule: that when the other two members have settled, it’s your turn to change. ©12k - more)

stereolab - chemical chords

on the turntable:

stereolab
chemical chords
CADD2815CD

Buy / Order: 4AD

Deluxe Edition Card sleeve with booklet and obi.
See here for more details.

image: japanese forms

steinbrüchel - mit ohne

on the turntable:

steinbrüchel
mit ohne
12k2010

Buy / Order: 12k

Limited to 500 copies.
See here for more details.

steinbrüchel website

image: japanese forms

gas - nah und fern

on the turntable:

gas
nah und fern
kompakt (komcd66)

4cd box set of one of the most important bodies of work in contemporary electronic music. Includes most of Wolfgang Voigt's discography under the Gas guise.


image: japanese forms



buy:
boomkat

download:
boomkat

kangding ray -automne fold

on the turntable:

kangding ray
automne-fold
raster-noton / r-n094


image: japanese forms


More sublime recordings from the raster-noton label. This week's offering from frenchman, Kangding Ray. Although I prefer his previous release "Stabil" this one does have its moments. It may be the spoken word parts that confuse me; as we're not to used to hearing much "vocals" on anything on the label. It is, nonetheless, a very fine recording indeed. (one2zero)


buy:
raster-noton


website: kangding ray

David Letellier aka kangding ray was born in France and is today based in Berlin, he evolved as a guitarist and drummer in various bands whose influences ranged from rock and pop to jazz before moving into electronic music.
(© raster-noton)

Following his highly successful debut "stabil" (r-n073), kangding ray releases his second full length record on raster-noton, entitled "automne fold".

With "automne fold", david letellier has evolved from the quiet, pristine flow of his debut record to sounds that are raw, dark and organic on this second release. pulsating rhythms become lost in within walls of saturated strings, words are spoken over bowed acoustic guitars, and analog synths collide with urban field recordings.
vocals are a central theme through the record. treated as raw materials, like any other sound, the voice operates as beat, speaks melodies or sets themes.

In some moments, "automne fold" retains the emotional simplicity of traditional song structures, where message and images come together, but also manages radical abstract textures, when tracks morph in closed forms of static sounds.

"automne fold" is an instrumental record, an album of 14 "folded" tracks, and a cinematic journey between groove and the senses.(© raster-noton)

wolfgang voigt - gas (book+cd)

on the turntable:

wolfgang voigt
gas
raster-noton (r-n 102)

image: japanese forms


Though beautifully packaged and presented in the usual, lavish raster-noton way, I was a bit disapponted by the photography. The images being a bit too repetetive in their style for my taste. The release, nonetheless, remains a captivating one musicwise. Packaged in a hefty (24cm x 29cm) book of photos of dozens of the wooded images we have come to associate with earlier Gas releases ;it comes complete with a rather fetching, red foil-embossed dust cover. A must-have for anyone who enjoys Voigt's atmospheric sounds and all true raster-noton collectors. (one2zero)

For the first time ever a book presents the visual aspect of Wolfgang Voigt's comprehensive GAS project. It is not meant to be a monolithic retrospective of his visual work, but it features a broad spectrum of photographic images taken between 1995 and 1998 showing many different moods and perspectives of Wolfgang Voigt’s cosmos. what they all have in common, however, is the mystical focus and seemingly, the blurring of boundaries between lightness and darkness, happiness and depression, kitsch and art, pixels and leaves. and the enclosed music cd, voigt has opened his treasure chest and presents some well-selected, rare jewels from the very early days (and nights). four of the five tracks have never been released or played before. (© raster-noton)

buy:
raster-noton

download:
boomkat

byetone - death of a typographer

on the turntable:

byetone
death of a typographer
raster-noton / r-n092

image:japanese forms

Back again following a rather long hiatus, due to me relocating (again), one2zero will be trying hard to make up for lost time with some posts on a more regular basis. First up is the excellent release from Byetone -Death of A Typographer. Also, thanks to my good friend Chris for letting me discover a whole host of exciting new sounds over the past few months. (one2zero)

buy: raster-noton

website: raster-noton


,death of a typographer’ is meant to be a snap shot. the release was recorded in a winter week in berlin. only the pre-released single ,plastic star’ was created in sunny athens. the album contains the original session version of ,plastic star’.

the music of ,death of a typographer’ carries the special sound of raster-noton - but it is different: the tracks act as focal points, as elegy of an latently flowing stream, a stream that still moves on even when the music has long faded away. the tracks do not necessarily move forward, they rather open up a dark abyss which seems deepest in ,capture this I’ and II. byetone manages to achieve a remarkable metamorphosis of the organic, the tracks don't reveal any of the elements of conventional composition techniques but somehow they seem to show through the static sound body. with ,heart’ byetone finishes the album in a very dark manner. isn't there any hope? not in berlin winter.

,death of a typographer’ poses us riddles, even the title reminds of peter greenaway's ,the draughsman's contract’. for the vigilant spectator the ambiguous artwork will reveal the ,death of a typographer’. (© raster-noton)

sonic youth - andre sider af sonic youth

Sonic Youth

Med Mats Gustafsson Og Merzbow
Andre Sider Af Sonic Youth
SYR 8




image: japanese forms

Eigth installment of Sonic Youth's series of experimental + mostly instrumental releases.
This disk presents the complete 'Other Sides of Sonic Youth' improvised live performance from the 2005 Roskilde Festival in Denmark, featuring Sonic Youth (with Jim O'Rourke) and guests Swedish saxophonist Mats Gustafsson, and Japanese sound artist Masami Akita (aka Merzbow). The single piece performed was a structured improvisation which for 60 minutes added and subtracted musicians one by one until only Masami was left onstage.(© Sonic Youth)

steinbrüchel - mit ohne (forthcoming)

FORTHCOMING
Available September 2008

steinbrüchel
mit ohne
12k2010

Limited to 500 copies.



image:japanese forms


Mit Ohne is a sound documentation of an audio/visual installation by Yves Netzhammer and Steinbrüchel. The installation entitled “The feeling of precise instability when holding things” was part of the group exhibition “Wohnträume/Wohnräume” exhibited from 26.07. to 28.09.2003 at the Museum für Gestaltung in Zurich, Switzerland. The audio sections by Steinbrüchel where composed in sync with the visuals by Yves Netzhammer and succeed in translating and supporting the poetic vibrancy and slow morphing movements of the 3d rendered animation. For the exhibition an atmospheric fragile and detailed work was created involving a three-part projection and multichannel sound which conveys an abstract audio and visual approach to the environment surrounding us and the concept of a room itself. ©12k - more)

Buy / Order: 12k

steinbrüchel website

popol vuh - remixed

popol vuh

remixed by mika vainio
remixed by haswell & hecker
eMEGO090

editions mego

MP3
Download@: Boomkat
Download@: Bleep


Also available: On 12" vinyl

Nachts: Schnee - Mika Vainio Remix
Aguirre I - Haswell & Hecker Remix

Cut by Rashad Becker @ Dubplates & Mastering, Berlin December 2007

Popol Vuh’s soundtrack work for the films of Werner Herzog in 1970’s and 1980’s are some of the most stunning in the field. Editions Mego is pleased to present 2 re-workings of classic Vuh tracks. Mika Vainio takes ‘Nachts: Schnee’ from the 1987 soundtrack ‘Cobra Verde’, and delivers a skillfully constructed ambient piece of beauty, which shifts and turns over 10 minutes. Haswell & Hecker turn the majestic ‘Aguirre I’ from the 1972 soundtrack ‘Aguirre - The Wrath Of God’ into possibly the first track to be played at the last rave on Earth. Unlike recent H&H releases on Warner Classics and Warp this does NOT utilize the UPIC system but vintage digital delays and freeze effect units, in conjunction with digital compositional tools.
This release is pressed on red vinyl and packaged in a plastic sleeve with a golden sticker. ( © Editions Mego)

harmonia -live 1974

harmonia
live 1974
CDGRON78


Finally managed to pick up a copy of this. I had looked it over on several visits to the record store but always took something else; Michael Rother's Invisible Jukebox in April's edition of The Wire won me over. Excellent indeed. I've always rather liked Neu! so I wasn't disappointed in the least. A must for any krautrock / kosmische music aficionado. "You’ve heard of Kraftwerk, Neu! and Cluster, right? How about Harmonia? It’s much less likely because, like many trailblazers of their own era, they were ignored at the time. Well, beyond the ‘How to buy Krautrock’ section in your local record shop sits a further, towering wall of German space music to explore and first on your list should be Harmonia." more (© gronland records)

gronland records

wiki

sawako

Available May 2008

sawako
bittersweet
12k1047





New York/Tokyo based Sawako is a musician, software designer, and multimedia artist whose multi-disciplinary works intermix and pollenate her music with inspiration ranging from nature, science, academia and poetic motion.

Bitter Sweet's diffuse and hazy soundscaping is Sawako's most mature work to date, relying less on her previous child-like melodies while remaining feminine and tender. She has come into her own after having established herself for a number of years as a New Yorker where she has tirelessly performed, studied and created as an important member of the city's electronic music community.

Bitter Sweet is packaged in a 6-panel digipack with photography throughout by Brooklyn-based artist and photographer Maki Kaoru. (©12k - more)

Buy: 12k

Download MP3: boomkat

autechre - quaristice

autechre
quaristice
warp333cd



Exists also as steel-cased special edition.

The music on Quaristice manages to make Autechre's complex sound designs feel simpler than before, which of course is an art itself. With a selection of tracks that sound like an album made on deep reflection, the whole album is kept exciting through the sheer range of music and ideas. more (© warp)

warp page autechre download wiki

németh - film

németh
film
thrill194


image:japanese forms


Very enjoyable recording from Radian stalwart, Stefan Németh. A couple of the tracks sound very much like some of the stuff found on the two Radian albums released on Thrill Jockey but on the whole this is well worth buying. Especially if you like anything that Radian has done. Nice booklet included but I wish the label would switch to digipak or some other form of packaging; jewel boxes really are the pits.

németh

Film is the first solo album by Stefan Németh, member of Radian and Lokai and the co-founder of Mosz Records. The album developed out of his years of work creating soundscapes for experimental filmakers and installation artists, but it was only after years of creating this work that he had he idea to repurpose it for an album under his own name.(© thrill jockey)

aidan john moffat

aidan john moffat
i can hear your heart
CHEM101CD

aidan moffat

Enhanced CD. Includes digital lyric book, bonus 5-track e.p. with printable artwork & a bonus short story.
Superb stuff from the former Arab Strap. The Scots Bukowski according to Uncut. Worth it alone for the superb packaging.

image: japanese forms



"Adults Only" spoken word from the Scots Bukowski...UNCUT [4/5]

"Certain to be 08's most intimate album, and an early contender for being its best..." ROCKSOUND [9/10]

Aidan has performed some exclusive versions of tracks from "I Can Hear Your Heart" on YouTube and you can see them by visiting our YouTube site. He's performed "Hopelessly Devoted", "Beak", "Fuck It" and "Super Sexxxy Real Live" so check them out prior to the release of the album in February.
(chemikal underground)

fennesz - on a desolate shore...

Available from Boomkat & iTunes now!

fennesz
on a desolate shore a shadow passes by
TS04D

MP3 only release

Download@: Boomkat, iTunes





Also available:

Transition Touch # TS04

7" vinyl only - no legal downloads of these tracks are available
Side A: On a desolate shore [5:14]
Side B: A shadow passes by [3:21]

This is the sister release to the digital-only On A Desolate Shore A Shadow Passes By. These three tracks are based on 8 different guitar recordings made at Amann Studios, Vienna, between 2005-07. The acoustic guitar was recorded with an AK c12 microphone. Other sounds were made using a Fender Stratocaster and a Vox ac15 amp.

The 7" is part of the Touch Sevens 7" vinyl-only series, which began with Oceanus Pacificus by Chris Watson [TS02].

Fennesz's new album for Touch follows in Spring 2008... ( © Touch)