pan sonic - gravitoni

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

mika vainio - time examined

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

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)