on my turntablepan sonicgravitoni
ptyt 045
image: ©japanese formsI haven't many discs by Pan Sonic -despite their quite consquent back-catalogue- but those that I do have have always been rather good; this one is no exception. As their last disc as Pan Sonic, the duo, Ilpo Väisänen and Mika Vainio, bows out with a tremendous final album of power electronics, techno concrète and deep tonal darkness of a quite amazing standard. Quite astonishing indeed and an album that I loved the first time I heard it. Stand-out tracks being 'Hades' (which reminds me somewhat of a track from Alva Noto's 'Xerox' albums) and the wonderous 'Pan Finale.' Packaging is of the same standard as the music contained within; fold-out digipak with graphic design by Bente Schipp and 14-page illustrated booklet with photography by Pan Sonic. one2zero
Web: Blast First Petite Pan Sonic Artwork@Discogs™Buy or Download:Blast First PetiteBoomkat
on my turntabletaylor deupreeshoals
12k1060
image: ©japanese formsMy my, how time goes by.
It's been almost 3 years since Deupree released Northern, his last proper full-length album on 12k. On Northern, Deupree introduced traditional instrumentation -notably acoustic guitars- but on Shoals, he uses a selection of Javanese and Balinese gamelan instruments. Instruments he became familiar with during a residency at the University Of York Music Research Centre. However, Deupree doesn't play any of these instruments in a conventional way. Apparently he experimented with the timbres and innate sonorites produced by these instruments and the materials they were made of; collecting sounds from playing surfaces via scraping, tapping or using an eBow and then channelling them through a specially devised looping program. Anyhow, I'm not really aware -nor technically competent- in how he actually achieved the sound processing; all I can say is that not only is the album very good it also attains the high standard of its excellent predecessor. Minimal, electronic music at its best.As usual beautiful packaging, design and photography by Taylor Deupree himself. one2zero
Also available: Shoals (Edition) 7" single. Northern (Reissue) CD.
Web: 12k taylor deupreeBuy or Download:12kBoomkat
in the tape deck:the hilary jeffery tapehilary jeffery & machinefabriek
mf0142-track cassette tape
image: japanese forms
Despite a recent revival and growing interest in the cassette format I hadn't so far far bought any of the ones that have appeared over the past couple of years. In fact, I don't think that I've bought a tape; despite having quite a collection, in at least 15 years. I was rather interested in acquiring the recent B.J. Nilsen tape on Touch but finally didn't bother... I can't buy everything so I make choices. Anyhow, as I rather like almost everything Rutger Zuydervelt (Machinefabriek) does I jumped at the occasion to acquire this limited edition tape. It's a quite wonderful collaboration with trombone player Hilary Jeffery and features two cinematic-like tunes. Reminds me in a way of Don Ellis' fabulous score for 'The French Connection'.
Available on a bright orange cassette tape, limited to 100 copies and housed in a hand stamped chipboard arigato pack. one2zero
buy / download: machinefabriek
on the turntable:ghost box
study series 01 - gbx701the advisory circle &
hong kong in the 60s
study series 02 - gbx702belbury poly &
moon wiring club
image: japanese forms
I'm sure lots of fans of Ghost Box will welcome with open arms these first two singles from the label's Study Series. Up until very recently the label has been strictly a CD (and download) only one but, at last, they've opted for vinyl releases as well. Beautifully designed artwork by Julian House plus super heavyweight vinyl make for an essential buy for all admirers of the label and, of course, of the music of the bands featured on them. N° 01, "Youth & Recreation" has brand new material from Belbury Poly and Moon Wiring Club while N° 02, "Cycles and Seasons" features the pastoral electronics of The Advisory Circle plus the soothing sounds of Hong Kong in the 60s; who make their debut on the label. Sublime.
These are the first two releases in the series with N° 03 & 04 due out in September one2zero
buy / download: ghost box
I've been a bit slow on updating this blog recently due to having lots of other time-consuming things to do. I've also acquired quite a good few discs; including the two beauties featured here, since I last updated so expect to see some more posts over the next week or so. one2zero
on the turntable:wolfgang voigt
freiland klaviermusik
profan cd9
Buy / Order:
boomkat
kompakt
image: japanese forms
"Piano house gone avant garde" is how Boomkat describes this disc and I suppose they're right. I'd stick to the more "abstract techno" term for it but that doesn't make it much better. I'm not too keen on this (maybe I'll have to give it a few more listens). It comes as a bit of a disappointment really to me as I'm rather fond of his Gas discs that came out a few years back as well as the recent release on Raster-Noton. Digipak packaging and artwork are delightful though with a triple fold-out sleeve. Unfortunately, there's no mention of who did the artwork/design/layout. Freiland Klaviermusik is released on Voigt's very own, recently revived Profan label. one2zero
I've been a bit slow on updating this blog recently due to having lots of other time-consuming things to do. I've acquired quite a good few discs since I last updated so expect to see some more posts over the next few days. one2zero
