one2zero

stephan mathieu : flags (tape)

2011-10-25T02:04:00.000-07:00

stephan mathieu
flags
(limited edition of 200)
tapeworm
ttw#37

tapeworm
stephan mathieu

image ©japanese forms

As with the tape featured in my previous post I've been trying to get hold of some of the tapes issued by Tapeworm... Once more I got lucky and managed to acquire the cassette-only label's latest release from digital artist and renowned electroacoustic musician, Stephan Mathieu. I've followed Mathieu and have acquired several of his releases ever since I first heard the stunning "Heroin" collaboration with Ekkehard Ehlers about ten years ago. A lot of his releases; including The Sad Mac (Headz) Radioland (die schachtel) and the recent A Static Place (12k) are among my favourites but this tape has come as a disappointment. Flags sounds like an exercise in futility and releasing it, to me, seems pointless. But then, I'm not Mathieu; who describes Flags as "... a homage to the beauty of data. The pieces are created from photos of my studio equipment which were transformed to audio via header changes." Beauty of data maybe but one of the tracks actually sounds like a 35 ton truck blasting it's horn as it whizzes along the autobahn and forcing terrified drivers out of its path... For the moment, I'll class this either in the "so good it's unlistenable" category or the "so unlistenable its good" one... I'm undecided; but it's doubtful that I'll play it as often as the recordings mentioned above.
Comes in the generic Tapeworm white background inlay card with artwork illustration by Caro Mikalef. one2zero

"The audio [on this datasette] was processed in August 2008 with Soundhack and GraphicConvertor." Stephan Mathieu, July 2011

motion sickness of time travel : dreamcatcher (tape)

2011-10-12T04:30:00.000-07:00

motion sickness of time travel
dreamcatcher
tape (limited edition of 200)
hobo cult records
hcr051

motion sickness of time travel
hobo cult records
bandcamp

image ©japanese forms

Well I finally managed to get my hands on one of those ultra-limited tapes from Motion Sickness of Time Travel (a.k.a. Rachel Evans). It must have been my luck day. Anyhow, as usual, Rachel has come up with more breathtaking sounds; this time available on the Hobo Cult label. Beautifully packaged, and including a MSoTT badge, this has to be one of her best ever recordings and already quite a bit of a collector's item, I imagine. Blue ink cover art printed onto beige, heavy-stock paper and a blue, cassette shell printed with white ink make this a highly desirable object indeed. Very highly recommended. one2zero

fennesz : seven stars

2011-08-18T02:30:00.000-07:00

fennesz
seven stars
tone 44v
touch
10" vinyl ep

image:©japanese forms

Latest offering from the ever-impeccable Christian Fennesz. This new solo vinyl EP is his first release on Touch since the "Black Sea" album in 2008.
Playing acoustic and electric guitars, bass, synths, and computers Fennesz comes up with some pleasant, somewhat placid, distorted and phased sounds that remind me very much of the stuff he was doing on the "Endless Summer" album way back in 2001. Like most of his production, "Seven Stars" focuses on digitally manipulated sounds, layers of effects. Very dark and dreamy. Highly recommended. Beautiful artwork as usual from Jon Wozencroft. one2zero

fennesz / touch / editions mego

A CD version of this release will be available sometime in September.

.............

amon tobin / tessa farmer : isam - control over nature

2011-07-30T03:32:00.000-07:00

amon tobin & tessa farmer
isam
zencd168x
ninja tune
cd+artbook

image:©japanese forms

This is the very first time that I've acquired an Amon Tobin recording -he's one of those electronic musicians that I've sort of passed by up until now so, as I rather like this, I might check out more of his stuff. Another reason why I'm not really aware of his releases is that I've never been too keen on any of Ninja Tune's productions either. Anyhow, although I quite like this (has a kind of Autechre seeping through samplers with lots of distorted crashing sounds feel to it) it's doubtful that I'll ever order anything directly from the label again. The reasons why: First of all, Ninja Tune took my order but failed to inform me that they didn't have any stock of this item. So i had to wait 4 weeks to get my copy... and which arrived damaged because it had been very badly packed! They rapidly replaced it but all in all it took six weeks for me to get this disc. So, I'll go through other channels if I ever buy any Ninja Tune titles again. On the other hand, the object is very nice indeed and I like the music. Hardback artbook features lots of photographs of Tessa Farmer's amazing, miniature, insect sculptures. Recommended. one2zero

amon tobin / tessa farmer / ninja tune

funki porcini : the devil drives

2011-07-16T06:44:00.000-07:00

alva noto & ryuichi sakamoto : summvs

2011-06-15T02:56:00.001-07:00

alva noto & ryuichi sakamoto
summvs
r-n 132
raster-noton
triple fold-out cardsleeve

image:©japanese forms

I'm still way behind in my posts with regards to recent purchases
so I'll try and get in at least two posts this week. First up is the latest collaboration from Alva Noto and Ryuichi Sakomoto. Summvs is the fifth recording that the pair have made together over the past 9 years or so and it's another sublime piece. A fusion of Sakamoto's piano-based compositions and Carsten Nicolai's digital rhythms and computer/software manipulations leaning towards a lot more harmony and melody than we're used to from Alva Noto. Immerse yourself in the, atmospheric, relaxing, ambient electronic and acoustic tones that run through the whole album. Features two versions; sans the vocals, of “By This River” from Brian Eno's 1977 album Before and After Science. Highly recommended. one2zero

raster-noton / alva noto / ryuichi sakamoto / carsten nicolai

battles : live @ the city hall, paris

2011-06-11T05:02:00.000-07:00

Battles | Futura | A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

pedro magina - nineteen hundred and eighty-five

2011-05-25T05:18:00.000-07:00

pedro magina
nineteen hundred and eighty-five
not not fun (nnf219-cs)
tape
limited edition c40

image:©japanese forms

Seems like I'm really out of the loop as far as a lot of new releases and labels go -and don't even talk to me about "mainstream" releases. I've mostly lost interest in a lot of "new" music and even trying to catch up on it, or listen to it. A lot of the bands that the music press (internet included) have been touting or championing for the past few years have passed me by but I imagine that, as far as I'm concerned, it's no great loss to me. Things that I do listen to nowadays tends to be confined to releases on labels such as raster-noton; Warp; 12k; Ghost Box as well as the odd album I read about in The Wire and feel that it would be a good buy; like the recent releases by Motion Sickness of Time Travel. Nonetheless, I still do discover some music that I've tended to overlook -this time the Not Not Fun label which was featured in The Wire last month. I was aware, and had heard some stuff by Pocahaunted but the the rest of the label's roster was unknown to me so, after reading the long article in The Wire I decided to seek out some of the music via the web. Fortunately I came across the wonderful Pontone blog which offers some amazing label mixtapes for download and the one featured this month just happened to be a Not Not Fun one. Among the featured tracks, which caught my attention, were tracks by Sand Circles and by Portuguese musician Pedro Magina and I immediately set out to buy a copy. Needless to say, this (cassette only) limited edition album was sold out so, for the moment,* I have to make do with a download copy. Never heard Magina before but I liked this right off -sort of sounds like an 70s version of Tangerine Dream+Harmonia meets Vangelis... in a way. Recommended. one2zero.

* ~~I've ordered a copy from a German distributor which I hope to get soon.~~
My copy arrived yesterday (June 3rd).

Buy this tape as a download @ Boomkat

conrad schnitzler & wolfgang seidel : consequenz 010b

2011-05-19T08:06:00.000-07:00

conrad schnitzler &
wolfgang seidel
consequenz
mt008
mirror tapes
limited edition of 250

image:©japanese forms

This tape falls into a category I would call "so good that it's unlistenable" (or the contrary, maybe). Even though it was recorded only last year it sounds to me like some musique concrète from the GRM or from the very early days at the BBC Radiophonic Workshop; only tuneless. This doesn't mean to say it's not good -it might be because I have a headache right now- but I don't think I'll be listening to it that often. Far less interesting, in my opinion, than the recent 10.10.84 tape; also released on the cassette only label Mirror Tapes. For hardcore Schnitzler fans only. one2zero.

Review by David Keenan (Volcanic Tongue)
...Consequenz 010B documents a meeting between Conrad Schnitzler – still the greatest exponent of austere Industrial synth and electronics – and long-term collaborator Wolfgang Seidel. Recorded in an abandoned subterranean bunker beneath the Tempelhof Airport in Berlin, the atmosphere is suitably macabre and claustrophobic, with Schnitzler generating some of his most psychedelic creations, ranging from wobbly purple architectures of electronics through ominous blocks of silence torn apart by invasions of odd keyboard melodies and sudden bursts of noise. The feel is highly ritualistic, almost like a séance, and there’s a weight to the music that is lacking in some of Schnitzler’s later work, a seriousness and a weight of execution that makes this one of his best contemporary recordings.
© Mirror Tapes

Buy this tape @ Mirror Tapes

fourcolor : as pleat

2011-05-17T08:05:00.001-07:00

fourcolor
as pleat
12k1065

fourcolor

image: ©japanese forms

As usual, I haven't been updating this blog as much as I should -I've received quite a few discs/tapes since my last update so I'll try to catch up with the backlog over the next week or so. Latest release on the one2zero deck is the third album from Keiichi Sugimoto's solo project: Fourcolor. Faithful followers of Taylor Deupree's 12k label will be well aware of Sugimoto's previous two and very fine albums: Air Curtain (2004) and Letter of Sounds (2006). As with quite a few recent 12K releases, the guitar has a central role with Sugimoto manipulating the chords to muster up drones, buzz and all sorts of sounds that he shapes into rhythms and a groove that form a sort of alva noto-like ambience. A couple of the tracks are enhanced by vocals courtesy of Sanae Yamasaki (aka Moskitoo). Recommended. one2zero

nacional electrónica - 100%

2011-05-08T02:47:00.000-07:00

NACIONAL ELECTRÓNICA / 100 %

I just discovered this band while watching a documentary on new Cuban artists and musicians on TV this week. This is a track that dates from 2006; and one which has been clearly influenced by Kraftwerk. You can check out more of their recent recordings at the link above. one2zero

ghost box study series 05 and 06

2011-04-13T07:28:00.001-07:00

ghost box
study series singles 05 & 06
hintermass gbx705
jonny trunk gbx706

image:©japanese forms

A third batch of the very fine Ghost Box Study Series singles arrived in the post yesterday. Yet another fine pair I must say. 05 features Hintermass; a collaboration between Jon Brooks (The Advisory Circle) and Tim Felton of Seeland. Excellent hauntological pop with (gulp!) proper vocals. Reminds me of early Broadcast and Stereolab. 06 has a wonderful sixties sounding electronic feel to it courtesy of Jonny Trunk. "Le Train Fantome" stands as one of the best sounds ever to emerge from Ghost Box. Very highly recommended. one2zero

phantasmagorical wonders : krautrock mix

2011-03-31T09:48:00.000-07:00

Phantasmagorical Wonders... by Dunwich Radio on Mixcloud

battles - ice cream

2011-03-30T08:20:00.000-07:00

battles
ice cream
warp (download single)

A taster release from Battles' forthcoming long-player, Gloss Drop. Energetic riffs and punchy kicks with a guest vocal from Kompakt / Comeme records' Matias Aguayo.

It seems like it's been some time since Battles released anything -in fact, not since their superb Mirrored album way back in 2007- so it's great to hear this track from the forthcoming Gloss Drop album; scheduled for release early June 2011. More pop-like than what you'd expect from the band Ice Cream is quite funky and, like the artwork, very colourful. Recommended. Unfortunately, this is a download only; hope they'll be issuing some vinyl ahead of the album release. one2zero

motion sickness of time travel - a disembodied voice in the darkness

2011-03-25T07:34:00.001-07:00

motion sickness of time travel
a disembodied voice in the darkness
cassette (c34)
teosinte

Back after being offline for a long time due to my computer crashing. Haven't been able to do any posting at one2zero but I'll catch up soon. In the meantime check out a track from the latest release by Motion Sickness of Time Travel. Another electronic-drone masterpiece by the sound of it. Might well even be better than the wonderful Seeping Through the Veil of Unconciousness released a few months back. Anyhow, once again, I was unable to get a tape copy of this recording; hopefully it'll appear, like it's predecessor, on another format sometime in the near future. Hauntingly ethereal with lots of voice effects; much like most of MSOTT' s recordings, this is another gem from the very prolific Rachel Evans -who also releases some stuff under the guise of Quiet Evenings alongside her husband Grant Evans. Highly recommended. one2zero

Available on a red, green, or grey c34 tape and housed in an orange, blue, or pink home-sewn bag with hand-written insert. Artwork by Grant Evans. Limited edition of 47.

motion sickness of time travel
digitalis ltd.
bandcamp

marcus fischer - monocoastal

2011-02-06T09:33:00.000-08:00

marcus fischer
monocoastal
12k1063

marcus fischer

image: ©japanese forms

If expired polaroid film had a sound then Marcus Fischer's sublime Monocoastal is what it might sound like. The reason I mention 'expired polaroid film' is that, besides from making beautiful sounds, Fischer is also a photographer who has a very fine portfolio of photographs; some of which, like the cover of Monocoastal, have been taken using it. According to the press release; tape hiss, sounds originating from field recordings, as well as found instruments, are used to make sounds recorded by both analog and digital recording and thus creating; as the following reviews put it: "softly undulating gestures... like a landmass meeting the recessing sea" (Resident Advisor) or "swathes of glistening ambience keep you firmly in a dreamlike state where you're unlikely to want to return from for a while" (The Digital Fix). Couldn't have put it better myself. If, soundwise, you enjoyed Taylor Deupree's recent Shoals album you'll enjoy this one too. Highly recommended. one2zero

machinefabriek - apollo

2011-01-26T03:41:00.000-08:00

machinefabriek
apollo
3" cd-r
(limited edition of 100)

machinefabriek

image: ©japanese forms

Rutger Zuydervelt (a.k.a. Machinefabriek) begins the year as busy as ever with a reissue of Vloed and a brand new 3-inch cd-r entitled Apollo. This new cd-r is apparently an alternate edit of the soundtrack for Makino Takashi's experimental film 'In Your Star' -Takashi I don't know much about except that he has collaborated on several projects with Jim O'Rourke- as for Apollo, it's, according to Rutger himself; "22 minutes of abstract soundscaping, combining field recordings, NASA Apollo flight-recordings and electronic weirdness." You can check it out for yourselelves at Soundcloud where you can listen two excerpts from it. Really quite good all in all. As per usual from Rutger the artwork and packaging are quite exceptional. 'Apollo' is a beautifully packaged, limited edition of 100 numbered copies and comes in an oversized heavy paper sleeve. one2zero

motion sickness of time travel - seeping through the veil of unconscious

2011-01-15T09:07:00.000-08:00

motion sickness of time travel
seeping through the veil of unconscious
cassette (c60 tape limited edition of 80)
digitalis ltd. - ltd#154

motion sickness of time travel
digitalis ltd.
bandcamp

Well I'm certainly starting of the New Year with more cassette fun and with the discovery of a whole new bunch of musicians that, I must had admit, was not aware of until I had a look at this week's Boomkat newsletter. Intrigued by the name: "Motion Sickness of Time Travel," I decided to have a quick search around the web to see (hear) what it was all about. Frankly I'm glad I checked MSoTT out because it's led me to some incredible sounds. MSoTT is the solo moniker of LaGrange, Georgia's Rachel Evans (also a member of Quiet Evenings and Aerial Jungle), partner of Grant Evans (Nova Scotian Arms - see previous post). Her music, which can be described as delicate, drone, electronic pop, is really quite sublime. Does it fall into the "hauntology" category? I'm not quite sure but the music does have that "haunted," je ne sais quoi feel to it. The whole considerably enhanced by Evans' ethereal vocals. As MSoTT, Rachel has already released a considerable amount of recordings; almost all of which have been very limited tapes on various small cassette-only labels, so I'll be checking her other releases and will undoubtedly be posting more on her output at a later date. In the meantime I'd advise anyone who's already heard MSoTT, and everyone else who hasn't, to try and get their hands on either a tape or vinyl copy of this album (both formats are sold out). If you can't, try to make-do with download copy. Very highly recommended. one2zero

nova scotian arms - sun flange (listen)

2011-01-15T02:30:00.000-08:00

nova scotian arms
sun flange cassette (limited edition of 75) digitalis ltd. - ltd#163

nova scotian arms
digitalis ltd.
bandcamp

farewell trish keenan

2011-01-14T10:53:00.000-08:00

Warp

bj nilsen & stilluppsteypa - space finale (tape)

2011-01-01T02:15:00.000-08:00

bj nilsen & stilluppsteypa
space finale
demego 011
editions mego
c90 cassette tape
limited to 200 copies

image:©franz graf

Well I'm starting the New Year with something I completely missed out last year and that is the amazing BJ Nilsen & Stilluppsteypa - Space Finale album. Originally released as a (very) limited edition cassette tape it's since been made available as a 2LP on Mego. Unfortunately, both editions have long sold out and people like myself, who've just discovered this gem, will have to do with a download copy. This is so good that it would have (if I'd done one) made my list of the best albums of 2010... The perfect companion piece to accompany the dreadful weather, as well as the whisky-fuelled stupor of the night before, that we've woken up to this morning... Though, I must make this quite clear, Nilsen and Stilluppsteypa's drone-along is anything but dreadful; the recording being quite sublime and much more interesting than anything else drone-wise that I've encountered in a while. Not to mention that this tape, all things considered, is almost worth having for the beautiful Franz Graf artwork alone. As Boomkat says "An absolute treasure." Very highly recommended. one2zero

A track from BJNilsen & Stillupsteypa's 'Space Finale' features on the soundtrack to Gaspar Noë's 'Enter The Void.' This film received a 5 star review in The Guardian.

............................................................................

"Fantastic collaboration between two masters of immersive drone music and location recordings. [...] Originally released on cassette earlier on this year. Divided into four lengthy pieces, the album has the feel of a classic piece of analogue experimentation, populated by obliterated field recordings, vintage synth timbres, archaic, blipping tones and above all, acre after acre of sustaining, continuous sound. [...] It's listed that the principal 'instrument' used in the making of this record was a Revox 2-channel tape machine, and the fact that the release was originally consigned to cassette means that the warm, magnetic character of the music is seen through right to the end. [...] Very few modern, digital drone records manage to achieve such an unshakable air of foggy enigma, and at its intangible best 'Space Finale' evokes a fantasy meeting between Delia Derbyshire and The Hafler Trio. Strictly limited copies - an absolute treasure." ©boomkat

Buy this recording @ Editions Mego / @ boomkat

Download @ boomkat

mark fell : ul8

2010-12-26T09:14:00.001-08:00

mark fell
ul8
mego 111
editions mego

image:©japanese forms

Well one2zero more or less ends the year with a further release from Mark Fell. UL8 follows hard on the heels of his very recent Multistability on raster-noton and his tape only release on Alku Records (see previous posts here & here). On UL8 Fell explores territories of sonic abstraction that might not be easy on the ear for most of us though some will applaud this adventure in sound and rythmn... As Boomkat puts it "... [Fell] takes his sound even further into the outer reaches of glacial, rhythmic experimentation. " I've only listened to it a couple of times (so far) but I imagine that even after a few more spins I'll like it less than the Multistability album. I'll maybe let the over-indulgence of Xmas fade a bit before returning to it and to give it a listen in less hectic circumstances.
All in all though, an impressive album with Fell in full 'experimental' but not completely uncomprising mode as someone like Hecker perhaps.
Available in digipak card-sleeve with beautiful graphic design/artwork which, like the Multstability sleeve, was done by the musician himself. Recommended. one2zero
....................................................................

UL8 ...Just two weeks after Multistability comes UL8 on Editions Mego. Handily split into digestible sections, it's a much different listen than Multistability. The first section ("The Occultation of 3C 273") is the closest, but the sounds are duller, and more relaxed, with its distinct low-end coated with grit. The second section ("Vortex Studies") plays games with static and very slight noise for something that sounds like Kraftwerk's Radio-Activity as filtered through AtomTM's Liedgut: ancient but determinedly technological...©Resident Advisor
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Buy this disc @ Editions Mego / @ boomkat

radio belbury (programme n°1)

2010-12-24T01:36:00.000-08:00

Programme 1 : "Holidays & Hintermass" by Ghost Box on Mixcloud

ghost box - mixtape

2010-12-15T06:36:00.000-08:00

Ghost Box

mark fell : multistability

2010-12-10T08:35:00.000-08:00

mark fell
multistability
r-n125
raster-noton

image:©japanese forms

Well Mark Fell is certainly ending the year in multi-release style with several recordings all appearing in the last couple of weeks. With a flurry releases including a cassette tape only release on Alku Records; a CD + 7" single on raster-noton; another album on Mego as well as a (very) limited edition release to tie in with the Coherence and Proximity solo art exhibition, Mr Fell has indeed been a very busy man recently. As with recent raster-noton releases, Multistability comes in a lavishly packaged triple fold-out card sleeve with artwork/design by Mark Fell himself. Electronic abstract and minimal is how I'd describe the music contained within which, I suppose, some listeners might define as being not very accessible -it's doubtful that you'll be dancing to it at your local club sometime soon but I don't think that was ever the point of it anyway. I'll be listening to it (often) on headphones; in the dark; with a glass and a bottle of single malt close at hand. one2zero
....................................................................

Multistability chooses a theme that, though equally academic, is at least a little more trippy. In its most basic sense, the title refers to forms that contain two separate images at once, which the viewer can alternate between at will. A press release explains that Fell's new album is "split into two halves" and "contains two versions of itself," with recurring passages and "pattern-generating systems" somehow creating a multistable effect. ©Resident Advisor
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Buy this disc @ raster-noton

conrad schnitzler : 10.10.84

2010-12-01T03:43:00.000-08:00

conrad schnitzler
10.10.84
mt004
mirror tapes
limited edition of 250

image:©japanese forms

As we move into the last month of 2010 yet another tape for my collection arrived in the post yesterday. This time it's the Conrad Schnitzler tape, that I recently ordered from Mirror Tapes, that's just winged it's way over from Malaysia (where Mirror Tapes is based). An interesting artefact and a real archival treasure recorded quite a long time ago now; in an era when cassette tapes were the MP3s of their day. This tape documents a 1984 session by one of krautrock's elder statesmen and a founding member of Tangerine Dream and Kluster. Excellent. Includes a tastefully designed inlay card but unfortunately no information whatsoever. one2zero

"Conrad Schnitzler, a previous student of Joseph Beuys, and a founding member of Tangerine Dream and Kluster, as a soloist developed the idea of the “kassetten konzert” or cassette concert, utilizing pre-recorded synthesized sounds on separate tapes, which were mixed together through adjustments of volume and equalization into a vaster and more complex piece that formed his live remix performances. Each event is unique due to the element of unpredictability in his real-time improvisations, and this is a documentation of such a performance on 10th October 1984, Berlin." © Mirror Tapes

Buy this tape @ Mirror Tapes

mark fell / evol : head office transformation

2010-11-24T00:32:00.000-08:00

mark fell / evol
head office transformation
alku75
alku records
limited edition split cassette available in black or white

image:©japanese forms

Well 2010 definitely remarks the return of cassette tapes for me. More and more artists and small (micro?)labels are releasing them and I've been tempted to buy several. Unfortunately my purse strings are a bit stretched right now so choices have to be made and I only pick up the occasional one. At the moment I eagerly await the arrival of the Conrad Schnitzler tape, that I recently ordered from Mirror Tapes, and am still enjoying the sounds of the Mr Maxted and Hilary Jeffrey tapes that I picked up earlier this year. In the meantime I'm listening to the synopated and strangely hypnotic sounds from Mark Fell (snd) on this split cassette which he shares with spanish computer music wizard Evol -who also runs the Alku Records label on which this tape is released. This is the third part of a split cassette series by both artists but I, unfortunatley don't have the numbers 1 and 2. In fact I have to thank my good friend GMA for providing with me this copy which he received, along with a 'white' case one, as a gift from Mark Fell. Soundwise it's rather good but the artefact might have been better if some artwork had been included. one2zero

Buy this tape @ Alku Records

New snd album available soon @ raster-noton

hong kong in the 60s - places ep

2010-11-18T09:48:00.000-08:00

anbb - mimikry

2010-11-02T00:40:00.000-07:00

anbb
mimikry
r-n 121
raster-noton
triple fold-out cardsleeve
includes 16-page booklet

image:©japanese forms

Well I thought that the latest recording by Senking had been raster-noton's best release in recent times until I heard the Mimikry album collaboration by alva noto and Blixa Bargeld (Einstürzende Neubauten / Bad Seeds) under the Anbb moniker. Bargeld and noto have produced a quite astounding album with the former providing lyrics and vocals and the latter the electronic sounds to accompany them. The music is far removed from Carsten Nicolai's (alva noto) usual glitch and microsounds and much more melodic than what we're acquainted with regards to his other recordings. On this disc, his experiments in sound embrace the conventional notions of song much more than one would have expected and in a quite enthusiastic manner. A perfect match to Bargeld's captivating vocals. Undoubtedly one of my albums of the year as well as being a perfect follow-up to the excellent Red Marut Handshake e.p.
Highly recommended. one2zero

Recorded & mixed at Andere Baustelle Tonstudio and Studio Carsten Nicolai in Berlin between January 2009 and July 2010.
Cover "Wallstreet-Spider" from the series "Veruschka self-portraits" performed by Vera Lehndorff, NYC 1992-96.
Booklet Artwork : Blixa Bargeld
Photography : Andreas Hubertus Ilse
© raster-noton

Also available by anbb : Red Marut Handshake e.p.

Buy this album @ raster-noton / Download / Buy @ boomkat

anbb / raster-noton

senking - pong

2010-10-29T07:18:00.000-07:00

senking
pong
r-n 122
raster-noton
audio cd + data cd
triple fold-out cardsleeve

image:©japanese forms

For some reason -probably due to me moving from one country to another and all the problems involved in doing so- I missed out on Senking's previous album on the raster-noton label, List, which came out in 2007. In fact I just realized that the last disc that I did buy by Senking was the Tap album, #4 in the Raster-Post series, and which was released way back in 2003! 'Pong' is not quite your usual raster-noton fare of clicks 'n' glitch abstract minimalism but much more subdued and downtempo. Soundwise let's say it's sort of like Pole meets Alva Noto. All in all a fabulous recording and one that should please anyone who enjoys contemporary electronic music. 'Pong' will easily be one of my top 10 discs for 2010. one2zero

"PONG – referring to the classic video game – is Senking's fifth release on raster-noton, moving its focus on stretched dubstep rhythms. To these slow motion grooves, he adds shredded melodies, sub basses and echoes, which create an atmosphere like an Angelo-Badalamenti-soundtrack known from David Lynch's movies. His electronic sound aesthetic reflects rather an organic texture than a machine made algorithm. In tradition of former dub producers, he generates his tracks while playing, and therefore they appear to be momentary. They are aware of the club, but do not want to serve it. At Berlin's CTM 2010 Senking proved that PONG can be massive on stage as well." © raster-noton

Buy this album @ raster-noton / Download / Buy @ boomkat

senking / raster-noton

murralin lane : our house is on the wall

2010-10-07T08:15:00.000-07:00

on my turntable

murralin lane
our house is on the wall
12k1061

image: ©japanese forms

Our House Is On The Wall is the debut release from Murralin Lane; a Swedish duo formed by David Wenngren (Library Tapes) and Yiva Wiklund. Distinctly Lo-Fi vocals, deformed and fashioned through the distorted tones and drones provided by Wenngren make for a certain form of abstract beauty. Tones, drones; recorded through god knows what, with Wiklund's haunting vocals adding to the general feel (sound?) of corrosion/decay that emanates from this recording. Sounds like a rather grubby and dusty vinyl that hasn't been cleaned before being played back through a pair of cheap car-speakers. Speakers that have been savagely pierced by a large screwdriver beforehand I might say. In all, it's great. Recommended.
Lovely 12k digipak packaging; with cover art photography by David Wenngren and Victoria Hannfors. one2zero

Web: 12k murralin lane

Buy or Download:
12k
Boomkat

seefeel - faults ep

2010-09-24T00:47:00.000-07:00

on the turntable:

seefeel
faults
limited edition 10" ep
wap299

image: japanese forms

Seefeel was one of those 90s bands that I considered had split and gone their separate ways long ago and it came as a bit of a surprise to learn, a few weeks back, that new material by the band was about to be released. Although they never officially disbanded this is their first release in simply ages. I've no idea really what the core members (Mark Clifford and Sarah Peacock ) did in the interim -their only recent "activity" being the reissue of the superb Quique (Redux Edition), back in May 2007- but this is a welcome return not only to recording but to form. Faults, following that 14-year long hiatus (!), is yet another excellent piece of what one could deem as abstract contemporary music. Music where everything is stripped down to the minimalist core sound space that the band so finely honed back in the 90s. We could have feared the worst after such a long break but the minimal soundscapes, of an almost trance-inducing nature, show that Seefeel has lost none of it's edge and is still a band to be reckoned with despite all that time in limbo. one2zero

buy / download: bleep
Attention: limited edition of 200 copies.

myspace / warp

ghost box - study series 03 & 04

2010-09-22T04:26:00.000-07:00

on the turntable:

ghost box
study series 03 - gbx703
belbury poly
mordant music
study series 04 - gbx704
broadcast and the focus group

image: japanese forms

Numbers 3 and 4 in the Ghost Box Study Series. As with the previous singles these
two feature superb Julian House designed artwork and come in super heavyweight vinyl. N°3, Welcome To Godalming features "house" band, Belbury Poly with the utterly fabulous "Swingalong" while the b-side features Mordant Music with what the label describes as "...an ecstatic piece of pastoral electronica." Couldn't put it better myself. The fourth Study Series, Familiar Shapes and Noises, probably the most collectable single so far, features Broadcast and The Focus Group who continue where they left off with what was one of the best albums of last year; "Investigate Witch Cults of the Radio Age." Very highly recommended hauntological brilliance! one2zero

buy / download: ghost box

mr maxted : momentum (tape)

2010-09-10T03:20:00.001-07:00

in the tape deck:

mr maxted
momentum
mm042
11-track cassette tape

image: japanese forms

As I previously mentioned in this recent post, I haven't bought any tapes for years and now... I've bought two in less than a month! Including this one by Mr Maxted. A cassette revival -so to speak- has been emerging over the past couple of years with more and more musicians -particularly low-budget operations- turning to this format to release their sounds. It might well be a nostalgia thing for some but I imagine that for most that it's not only from an economic point of view that they're using tapes. Maybe the use of the compact cassette, a quasi-obsolete device, can be seen as a sort of slow-fi reaction to today's digitally virtualized world and those horrendous MP3s. Don't get me wrong though; MP3s are great for accessing and indeed discovering lots of music. Music that is either not commercially available or very hard to come by. Plus, one mustn't forget either that for lots of people, economically, MP3s are their only alternative. From my own point of view, I'd much prefer to have a recording on analog, magnetic tape (with hiss 'n' all) rather than anything in an MP3 format. It's a "physical" thing. I have to have it in my hands to fully appreciate the value of it. Nevermind the fact that the "artwork" that surrounds the object plays more than a fair part in my own personal choices as far as music goes. Anyhow, I'm digressing... so let's get back to Mr Maxted. This recording; which Boomkat rightfully describes as: " pure bedroom meddling music, recorded from cheap drum machines directly onto tape, leaving a blurry imprint of Benelux beats and soggy Yorkshire synth... " unfortunately comes in one of those awful red-plastic cassette cases that break so easily. On the other hand, the heavy-duty inlay card makes up for it a bit packaging wise. A nice wrap-around card sleeve like the Hilary Jeffery Tape would have made this object so much better. Soundwise; it's an electronic music mix of post-industrial analogue synth pop with added electro, techno & new beat rhythms and textures... It's great!
Limited edition of 100 cassettes only. one2zero

buy / download: boomkat

mordant music

pan sonic - gravitoni

2010-08-27T06:22:00.000-07:00

on my turntable

pan sonic
gravitoni
ptyt 045

image: ©japanese forms

I 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 Petite
Boomkat

taylor deupree - shoals

2010-08-26T00:37:00.000-07:00

on my turntable

taylor deupree
shoals
12k1060

image: ©japanese forms

My 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 deupree

Buy or Download:
12k
Boomkat

the hilary jeffery tape

2010-08-16T01:24:00.000-07:00

in the tape deck:

the hilary jeffery tape
hilary jeffery & machinefabriek
mf014
2-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

ghost box - study series singles 01 & 02

2010-08-14T01:12:00.001-07:00

on the turntable:

ghost box
study series 01 - gbx701
the advisory circle &
hong kong in the 60s
study series 02 - gbx702
belbury 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

wolfgang voigt - freiland klaviermusik

2010-08-12T09:49:00.000-07:00

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

masayoshi fujita & jan jelinek - bird, lake, objects

2010-06-20T07:42:00.000-07:00

on the turntable:

masayoshi fujita & jan jelinek
bird, lake, objects
faitiche 03cd

Buy / Order:
faitiche
boomkat

image: japanese forms

Another superb release from Faitiche and what I consider as the best from the label so far. Lovingly packaged in a limited edition hardcover-book style digipak (as all their CDs) this album features recordings from electronic maestro, and Faitiche label boss, Jan Jelinek and Japanese percussionist and vibraphonist Masayoshi Fujita. The result is quite simply wonderful. Possibly Jelinek's finest moment or at least one of his best in his, so far, excellent career in electronic music. one2zero

jan jelinek faitiche

frank bretschneider - exp

2010-05-25T12:01:00.001-07:00

frank bretschneider
exp
r-n 108
raster-noton
audio cd + data cd
triple fold-out digipak

I've been waiting patiently for this to arrive ever since it was first announced way back in January and let's say: it was well worth the wait. Another great disc. I was fortunate enough to see Bretschneider play EXP live last November and this is the perfect companion piece to his performance. As usual the Raster-Noton packaging is lavish and beautifully crafted.one2zero

image © japanese forms

"Frank Bretschneider is widely known as a pioneer of the 'clicks & cuts' style, using microscopic audio snippets to create his sparse and abstract rhythm patterns. His albums under his own name and under his Komet alias have graced labels such as Mille Plateaux, 12k, as well as influential imprint Raster-Noton, which he co-founded in 1999 together with Alva Noto and Olaf 'Byetone' Bender.

As a studied graphic designer, Bretschneider's has always been interested in the interactions of sound and visuals. 'EXP' explores this concept with an 18 minute video, which uses particle algorithms to generate oscilloscope-like renderings of the album's tracks. Abstract and mesmerizing, the visuals perfectly match the scientific approach of the album, for which Bretschneider has used sounds of 'mechanics, electricity, magnetism, light and other radiation' as sources for his microscopic samples." © zero"

Buy this album @ raster-noton / Download @ zero"

frank bretschneider / myspace / raster-noton

unkle - where did the night fall (box)

2010-05-17T08:19:00.001-07:00

unkle
where did the night fall
surrender all
surr017cdx
limited edition box
double album in fold-out sleeve
full album + instrumental version
32-page board book featuring artworks by warren du preez & nick thornton jones
36-page booklet

image © japanese forms

Took some time out to update this blog (a little) with the latest offering from James Lavelle's ongoing UNKLE project. I haven't had time to listen to this yet but if it's anything like what Lavelle has previously released under the UNKLE moniker it'll be very good indeed. I'll update this post when I've given it a good few spins but even if it is'nt as good soundwise as Lavelle's other albums it's worth buying for the artwork and packaging alone. one2zero

UNKLE / UNKLE Blog / Warren du Preez - Nick Thornton Jones

autechre - (oversteps)

2010-04-26T08:39:00.001-07:00

image © japanese forms

autechre
(oversteps)
warp210
warp records 2010

I haven't had much time to work on this blog over the past few weeks but i hope to catch up and put up a couple of posts this week. Anyhow, here's a shot of the latest Autechre album, Oversteps. Maybe not their best effort but it does have its moments with a return to a more "traditional" form if you compare this release with the Quaristice album from 2007. Beautiful Designers Republic digipak fold-out packaging. one2zero

the advisory circle - mind how you go

2010-03-23T07:49:00.000-07:00

on my turntable

the advisory circle
mind how you go
(revised edition)
gbx013 - lp & download

image: ©ghost box

Classic hauntological Advisory Circle reissue; includes bonus tracks and re-workings. What we get here are the seven tracks from the original 3" CD as well as five other tracks of exclusive compositions and remixes from Belbury Poly and Seeland. I'm afraid I only have the download version of this LP which comes in a proper full colour sleeve. I would, of course, prefered the LP version but it's not that the vinyl is that expensive, it's the postal costs that you have to pay. A must have for any Ghost Box enthusiast. one2zero

Just a word to say that, finally, I couldn't resist buying the highy desirable vinyl version. See a photo of it here.

"An expanded album length version of the 2006 Advisory Circle EP Mind How You Go, inspired by the world of TV Public Information Films. Featuring two new tracks by The Advisory circle and re-imaginings of two of the original tracks by Seeland and Belbury Poly. Remember, electricity cannot be seen or heard. Harmful, invisible forces surround us everywhere we go. Fortunately The Advisory Circle is on hand to help us make the right decisions. Mind How You Go is an alchemical distillation of the sound of Public Information Films. Spooky, catchy and witty." © Ghost Box

Web:
Ghost Box Boomkat

machinefabriek - nerf

2010-02-11T08:00:00.000-08:00

on my turntable

machinefabriek
nerf
3" cdr release

image: ©japanese forms

Minimalist guitar and low end drone from Dutch sound designer, Rutger Zuyzervelt (Machinefabriek). The 3-track 'Nerf' is released as one of Rutger's many 3"CDRs. Features compositions on acoustic and electric guitars edited via a laptop. In my opinion, not as interesting as some of his other stuff but still quite good. Very Oren Ambarchi in style and sound. one2zero

Web:
machinefabriek

technorati claim post

2010-02-11T06:36:00.001-08:00

8XB3K2KV55XB

minamo - durée

2010-01-30T02:23:00.001-08:00

on my turntable

minamo
durée
12k1058

image: ©japanese forms

Another superb disc of electroacoustic soundscaping from the very wonderful Japanese quartet, Minamo. Relaxing ambient minimalism at it's best. Another gem in the 12k catalogue. Wonderful design and photography by 12k mainman, Taylor Deupree. one2zero

"Durée, their last studio work since 2007’s collaboration with Tape, and their follow-up to Shining on 12k (12k1031, now out of print), takes influence from the French philosopher Henri-Louis Bergson’s concept of “pure durée,” an idea that one’s consciousness is a constant flow and not something that can be divided, reversed, or measured. Minamo used these ideas in creating their music, despite the contradiction of the time-stamped CD format, to try to subvert the ideas of compartmentalized “time” and “space.” With a strong sense of non-linearity and flow taken from Bergson’s ideas, Minamo have created a colorful, skittering wash of music, noise, and texture that embraces a sense of out-there-ness." © 12k

Web: minamo 12k website taylor deupree

Buy or Download:
12k
Boomkat

william basinski - vivian & ondine

2010-01-26T08:46:00.000-08:00

on the turntable:

william basinski
vivian & ondine
2062.0902

Buy / Order:
2062
boomkat

image:© japanese forms

william basinski

Tape loops recorded live at Musex International, Los Angeles, California, September 2008. Commissioned by Lauren Bon and The Metabolic Studio for Strawberry Flag at the United States Veterans Administration Hospital, Los Angeles, California. If you like Basinski,and his avant-garde ambient soundscapes, as I do, you'll love this. Sounds a lot like Basinski's masterpiece, The Disintegration Loops ; but that's not such a bad thing. one2zero.
___________________________________________________________________

"A brand new album from one of the most revered and acclaimed ambient composers of our time, Vivian & Ondine takes the form of a single, three-quarter hour piece, once again constructed from William Basinski's signature style of tape loop manipulation. While the narrative ebb and flow is largely pinned to a single tape fragment, Basinski merged a further "dozen or so" that sunk into the mix in just the right way, adding to the aura of fluctuation and continuous evolution that's so essential to this man's work." ©boomkat

leyland kirby - sadly, the future is no longer what it was

2010-01-24T10:31:00.000-08:00

on my turntable

leyland kirby
sadly, the future is no longer what it was
haftw001

Buy: boomkat
Download : boomkat

image: ©japanese forms

Triple-CD modern classical, ambient masterpiece from the artist formally known as The Caretaker and V/VM. Reminds me a bit of some of William Basinski's hauntingly beautiful recordings; with that eerie background of tape-loops recorded from old vinyl. Spread over three albums it consists of almost four hours of of ambient, hauntologic, modern classical wonders. Utterly fabulous. one2zero

... there's echoes of Eno, Koner, Deathprod, Debussy, Badalamenti and Lynch executed with a dark yet emotional determination encapsulating the spirit of a Berlin or Manchester nightscape... © boomkat

Web:
history always favours the winners myspace

harmonia & eno '76 - tracks and traces

2010-01-09T02:40:00.000-08:00

on my turntable

harmonia & eno '76
tracks and traces
cdgron102

image: ©japanese forms

One of those reissues you just can't miss out on is this remastered edition of these legendary 1976 recordings. Eno; who was on his way to Montreux to work on Low with Bowie, met up with Harmonia at their studio in the rural hamlet of Forst in Germany’s Weserbergland where they laid down the tracks on this album. Not intended to be released commercially the album was initially released in 1997 and featured clips from the the original recordings; this version includes the full remastered-by-Roedelius sessions.

"...33 years after these recordings were created, we finally have an all-around satisfying version of a long believed lost treasure of the krautrock era.
(© grönland records)

grönland records hans-joachim roedelius dieter moebius michael rother brian eno

wiki

broadcast and the focus group - investigate witch cults of the radio age

2010-01-07T10:43:00.000-08:00

on my turntable

broadcast and
the focus group
investigate witch cults
of the radio age
warpcd189

image: ©japanese forms

I'm not too keen on the "best of..." lists that nearly every magazine prints at the end of each year -what one likes or dislikes is all very subjective so I never really bother about choosing a personal top ten, or twenty, or whatever. However, in my opinion, I'll go along with The Wire* in stating that this is one of the best albums released in 2009. Released a couple of months ago, I didn't pick up my copy until recently as the the local (shitty, chain) stores didn't have any copies in stock when I happened to drop in on any my rare visits to them. Thankfully Amazon, and the internet in general, exists. Anyhow, this 50-minute, 23-track album is really something special; probably the best ever by Broadcast. Of course, the selection of extra-special, added sound ingredients, by Ghost Box and The Focus Group mainman Julian House, enhance this recording immensely with Trish Keenan's voice making it an essential buy. one2zero

* "It really is quite fabulous… (Broadcast) crowned themselves dark monarchs of hauntology’s expanding kingdom" ALBUM OF THE YEAR – The Wire

Web:
warp/broadcast the focus group ghost box broadcast myspace

mika vainio - time examined

2009-12-31T00:57:00.000-08:00

on my turntable

mika vainio
time examined
92 page catalogue & 2cd
r-n 109

image: ©japanese forms

The year ends with Mika Vainio's
beautifully designed and lavishly-packaged catalogue and 2cd arriving from Raster-Noton. The 92 page book includes numerous, colour & monochrome photographs as well as texts by Daniel Klemm, Daniela Cascella and Carl Michael von Hausswolff. As usual this in an absolute must-have item for anyone who likes Vainio's music as well as for any avid Raster-Noton collector. one2zero

"In the past thirteen years Mika Vainio has exhibited in some of the major art spaces in Europe, and he has collaborated with both a number of important artists and curators. Since his musical work has been in the focus of attention, his installations have never gained the broader recognition they deserve — without good reason. In the present book, an overview will give a clear outline of this segment of his oeuvre. Also his realized soundtracks for other artists, in the genres of video, film and dance are included. Each work is presented with a significant selection of images (installation views, visuals or sketches) and an explanatory text to deliver its basic idea. In the two essays Carl Michael von Hausswolff and Daniela Cascella – longtime companions and collaborators — delicately introduce Vainio’s conceptions to further enlight the reader’s understanding. On the enclosed CDs one can find a selection of tracks created for the respective installations and soundtracks." (© raster-noton )

Web:
mika vainio raster-noton pan sonic

ursula bogner - pluto hat einen mond

2009-12-30T09:24:00.000-08:00

on the turntable:

ursula bogner
pluto hat einen mond
maas media vol.32

Buy / Order:
faitiche
maas media

image: japanese forms

A follow-up, limited edition, seven inch ep, to the Recordings 1969 - 1988 album. Entitled 'Pluto hat einen Mond' (Pluto has a moon) the ep includes four exclusive and previously unreleased tracks. Released to tie in with an exhibtion about Bogner's work, sketches, notations at the Laura Mars Gallery, Berlin, in mid-December 2009 it's available either through Maas Media or direct from Faitiche You'll have to be quick if you want one as only 300 copies have been pressed. Exhibition closes on January 16th.

Special thanks to Gundula at Mass Media for including two exhibition postcards with my copy. one2zero

jan jelinek faitiche

___________________________________________________________________
Jan Jelinek on Ursula Bogner:
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)

frame.sync / raster-noton

2009-12-23T07:49:00.000-08:00

on my turntable

raster-noton
offf lisbon '09
frame.sync

Not Available

image: ©japanese forms

A very rare and exclusive compilation CD released to coincide with Frame.Sync ; a one-time installation project at Offf '09 (an International festival for post-digital creation and culture)which took place in Lisbon, Portugal in May this year. Beautifully designed and packaged; the CD features most of the label's artists. Given away free to anyone who bought a ticket for the festival. one2zero

This copy; courtesy of GMA.

"In cooperation with Derivative's TouchDesigner, Raster-Noton and Offf'09 present:
FRAME.SYNC, a multi-visual space + exclusive cd compilation featuring tracks
by all participating artists: COH, alva noto, atom™, byetone, Frank Bretschneider,
Kangding Ray, nibo, pixel, Pomassl, senking, signal, SND and special guests
Fennesz and Vladislav Delay. Free with ticket for offf festival in Lisbon." (© raster-noton )

Web:
frame.sync raster-noton

krautrock - cosmic rock and it's legacy

2009-12-19T08:46:00.000-08:00

on my shelves

krautrock
cosmic rock and it's legacy
black dog publishing (2009)

image: ©japanese forms

A must-have companion piece to Julian Cope's legendary Krautrocksampler. Black Dog Publishing continue their excellent series of music books; this time documenting the amazing music scene that emerged in Germany in the late 1960s. Highly recommended. one2zero

"Krautrock charts the history of this influential music genre, from its roots in free jazz, psychedelia and the music of Karlheinz Stockhausen, to the groundbreaking experiments of Faust, Kraftwerk and Can." ( © Black Dog Publishing)

Buy : black dog publishing / amazon

radian - chimeric

2009-12-09T05:43:00.000-08:00

on my turntable

radian
chimeric
thrill 224

Available on CD /LP / Download

image: ©japanese forms

It's been quite a while since Austrian avant-rock band, Radian released a new album; all three members have been working on other projects (Nemeth / Trapist / Kapital Band 1 etc. etc. ) over the past few years and, in fact, it's the first new material by the band since the splendid Juxtoposition album way back in 2004. In my opinion, this recording consists of pretty much the same fare as the two previous Thrill Jockey albums but sounds a bit more rawer and darker in form and content; "steady, multiple rhythms, layered on top of each other disappear into chaos" as the band puts it. May well be their best disc ever. Beautifully packaged in a fold-out card sleeve with photographs by Pascal Petignat and design by Nik Thoenen. Excellent. Highly recommended. one2zero

CD version is presented in a 4 panel mini-LP style jacket. LP version is limited to 1,000 copies for the world and includes a free download coupon.

Web:
thrill jockey radian myspace

Buy / Download:
thrill jockey

taylor deupree & savvas ysatis - hourglass

2009-11-28T09:12:00.000-08:00

on my turntable

taylor deupree &
savvas ysatis
hourglass 12k2015

Available on 12" EP / Download

image: ©taylor deupree

A lush, dreamy, ambient soundscape. Absoulutely beautiful. Available on 12" vinyl or as a download. In my mind, one of the best releases so far this year. Very highly recommended. one2zero

Hourglass [...] two instrumental pieces and two vocal songs created with a multitude of acoustic instruments, analog synthesizers and very little computer aided programming. The idea of treating the computer as a tape deck instead of a programming device was vital to their process as they surrounded themselves in the studio with as many noise-making objects as possible, shunning nothing if it could be used in interesting ways. (© 12k )

Web:
12k taylor deupree saavas ysatis

Download:
Boomkat

peter broderick & machinefabriek - blank grey canvas sky

2009-11-17T08:17:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-08T10:11:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-01T09:02:00.001-08:00

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)

2009-10-28T18:07:00.000-07:00

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: Boomkatu

moritz von oswald trio - vertical ascent

2009-10-18T02:39:00.000-07:00

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

2009-10-17T02:49:00.001-07:00

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

2009-09-27T02:33:00.000-07:00

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)

2009-09-16T04:51:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-12T00:39:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-29T04:25:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-30T10:52:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-20T00:43:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-22T02:29:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-20T02:27:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-17T03:59:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-19T06:44:00.001-07:00

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

2009-05-13T09:29:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-08T02:23:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-30T09:43:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-25T08:45:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-21T07:51:00.001-07:00

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

2009-03-12T01:21:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-09T07:03:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-08T04:40:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-06T04:45:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-25T04:48:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-23T04:48:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-19T04:49:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-10T05:16:00.000-08:00

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