PROSWELL & WWCARPEN
Proswell & Wwcarpen
[Kracfive Records, www.kracfive.com]
ANDREY KIRITCHENKO
True Delusion
[Nexsound, www.nexsound.org / Spekk, www.spekk.net]
ATOM AND PINK ELLN
Live - Volumes 2 & 3
[Logistic Records, www.logisticrecords.com]
BAUCHKLANG
Barking News / Rhythm of Time
[Klein Records, www.kleinrecords.com]
TOMAS KORBER / KEITH ROWE / GUNTER MULLER
Fibre
[For4Ears, www.for4ears.com]
In order to have any artistic success in electronic/experimental genre [forget about financial
success - there's not much to be had here!], you have to keep your mind open to new ideas.
At the same time, when the door is open, you must filter only the best ideas into your music.
You have to nurture these ideas, love them and then, when they're ready to be set free, release
them into your music. These artists have risen to the occasion. All work only with the finest,
freshest ideas around.
I think both Proswell and Wwcarpen hail from Baltimore, but that's just the geographic
location. Their first collaborative self-titled effort could've been made in just about any city
on this planet as their idea of electronics is based on the primitive concept of what-came-
before-must-be-good. In fact, even if they are re-hashing older ideas, they're still putting a
fresh spin on them. Sure, some of this may sound like re-processed Autechre or even [dare I
say] 808 State, but that's not the point. It's the presentation and pasting of ideas that makes
all the difference in the world. Tons of glitch sounds, obscure samples, riveting break-neck
d'n'b loops, synths galore and a wad of percussive elements ensure the listener is both taken
aback and satisfied. The bass elements on "Poorly" tend to evoke memories of an Earth Wind
& Fire track [though I can't recall, whether it's "Fantasy" or "Happy Feeling" or maybe it's
just "Can't Hide Love"]. But wait, there's more in store. Groovy bird samples, cheap drum
machines, synths that fly over your head like some sort of a supersonic jet fighter and all this
in a span of just under an hour. If you're ready to receive, and keep your ears truly open, it's
all here for the taking. Wherever they may be from, Proswell & Wwcarpen are the dope-
maniacs and just outright schizos of the electronics scene.
Ukrainian sound-artists Andrey Kiritchenko had a different perception of how new
technology could aid in the act of music making. "True Delusion" is in fact equal parts field
recording, real instrumentation [guitar and piano] and computer processing. All of these
elements are wrapped in a warm, soothing blanket that invites the listener to repeat the
listening process again and again. The album starts off with warm guitar plucking that sounds
as if surrounded by an aura of humming or buzzing. Minimal plucking is what Kiritchenko
had in mind all along. His vision was to bring a meditative glistening to the recording,
something that is immediately apparent. With tapes of crickets, dim nightfall and sounds of
something that resembles dried leaves, the music [whether processed or not] gives an
appearance of something that is embracing and natural. Though much of Kiritchenko's
sounds fall in the serene category, he's still successful at retaining a factor of underlying
tension. From one moment to the next, the listener is unable to guess and predict what's
coming up next. Will the sounds continue to caress the ears or will the change in direction be
so drastic that we'll sit up and take notice of the strangeness factor? His experiments with
piano are especially welcome. Half-way through the record, it's the piano in fact that takes
over as the predominant instrument. "Illusion of Safety" [not to be confused with the band of
the same name] features wads of light keys clicking. Though pleasant at first, the sound
appears to be shrouded over with a mysterious substance, almost like an oily filter that leaves
a dirty sound behind. The beauty in all of this is how well the sounds flow from one point to
the next, from one idea to the next. Kiritchenko is teasing listeners with an intense game of
connect the dots. Everything is logical and nothing sounds false or contrived. Almost like a
little kid who's connecting large dots on a piece of paper; like an artist who's filling his blank
piece of cloth with paint, listening to Andrey Kiritchenko's "True Delusion" is like watching
someone give birth to their newborn.
Though they've known each other for about two decades, Atom and Pink Ellen's first
collaboration is almost 15 years old at this point. "Live - Volumes 2 & 3" is a compilation of
one live Valparaiso date from 2004 and one Zurich date from last year. This time around,
they're operating a couple of computers and an old Roland TR-808. Apparently, there was
very little pre-planning that went into either of the live shows. All of their live sets are based
on improvisation. The Valparaiso gig is a continual smooth flow of tight beats, light
percussive elements, squeals and noises, innovative samples, and smartly drawn-out energy.
Funny thing is though energy is visible; the music tends to fall on the lazy, sedate side of the
spectrum. Zurich set features an apparent gain in the bass factor, heavier percussive focus and
a keener eye for wild improvisation. Even though the smoothness that is present in the first
part is still evident, there seems to be more variety thrown into the mix. The boys get crazy
ideas and literally throw the kitchen sink in for good effects. Wildly organic and satisfying,
"Live - Volume 2 & 3" is a must for any serious fan of electronica.
Bauchkland is an Austrian outfit that features a ton of vocalists [six to be exact]. Their refusal
to stick to any one musical category has been praised by many. As they try to break the
boundaries between dub, hip-hop, d'n'b and electronic music, they release a split single
"Barking News / Rhythm in Time" from their new full length "Many People". [Both versions
get three mixes each.] "Rhythm in Time" is a relaxed blend of early Material, in-your-face
rap, pounding dubalicious bass and a dazzle of samples thrown in for good effect. The second
mix ["A & B Remix"] of the track is much more minimal and rawer than the other two. DJ
Vadim gives us two distinct remixes of "Barking News" - original and instrumental. Both are
rough and ready but it's the instrumental that leaves a lot more to the imagination. With only
intermittent samples of Vadim's name popping up at the beginning, this instrumental gives
the band more room to stretch out, while putting an emphasis on the pounding beats. Good
first single from a full length that may prove to be equally as strong.
As far as collaborations go, one of the most dramatic ones so far this year is one from
electronics guru/guitarist Tomas Korber, guitarist Keith Rowe and electronics guru [once
percussionist] Gunter Muller. "Fibre" takes these three musicians on a dramatic journey of
pure, unadulterated sound. What's wonderful about this effort is the multitude of
relationships that exist within this small trio. The dissonance and drama that is played out
between the washes of sound produced between Korber and Rowe is different than what
Muller and Korber might accomplish in unison. Each player knows there is no defined time
and space they must stick to. Gentle static washes turn into sounds that resemble waves.
Then eerie, creaking noises pop onto the scene. This is followed by more radio static,
grueling display of something that resembles an old video game soundtrack. Add to this
almost nature-like sounds resembling cool summer air filled with chirping crickets and
soothing, celestial sounds of something that could pass for falling water, and you've got
yourself an intensely rewarding experience. No matter if you choose to identify the sounds
made with individual members of the unit, all sounds generated are unique in their own
peculiar way. Repeat listening sessions are highly encouraged. Each one brings out new
nuances that were somehow missed on the previous flight.
- Tom Sekowski
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RECENZJE
+ The Thing - Live At Bla / The Thing w/Joe McPhee - She Knows...
+ eRikm - Sixpériodes
+ Toshiya Tsunoda - Ridge of Undulation
+ Nash Kontroll - Your Left Hand Just Expoded
+ Jacques Berrocal - Catalogue
+ Jason Kahn - Sihl
+ Rick Reed - Dark Skies at Noon
+ Mountains - Sewn
+ Robert Piotrowicz - Rurokura and the Final Warn
+ Insiememusicadiversa - Insiememusicadiversa
+ Makoto Kawabata - Inui. 3
+ Shalabi Effect - Unfortunately
+ Allen/Drake/Jordan/Parker/Silva - The All-Star Game
+ Parker/Budbill/Drake - Songs for a Suffering World
+ Yura Yura Teikoku - na.ma.shi.bi.re. na.ma.me.ma.i
+ AGF.3 + Sue.C - Mini Movies
+ Ellen Allien & Apparat - Orchestra Of Bubbles
+ Do You Copy?
+ Datapunk Rockstars - Klartext / Anthony Rother - Compression
+ Terence Fixmer - Silence Control
+ Fovea Hex - Bloom
+ Gigolo Compilation Vol. 9
+ Markus Guentner - Lovely Society
+ Oliver Huntemann - Fieber
+ Modern Institute - Exellent Swimmer
+ Far Away From Jamaica
+ Kaito - Hundred Million Lights Years
+ Druga Strona Lustra - Język żywiołów
+ Daniel Meteo - Peruments
+ Mirror - Still Valley
+ Organum - Die Hennen Zaehne
+ Quintron & Miss Pussycat - Swamp Tech
+ Miller + Fiam - Modern Romance
+ Peter Grummich - Rave D'Amour / Jerry Abstract - Mudtsmut
+ Bodzin & Huntemann - Black / X-Lover - Lovesucker / Trike - Polytron / Hell Presents My Definition Of House Music: 33 1/3 Queen/Earth People
+ Asmus Tietchens - Seuchengebiete
+ Andy Vaz - Repetitive Moments Last Forever
+ Światogor - Tym Co Rodzimej Tradycji Wciąż Wierni
+ Květy - Jablko Jejiho Peř
- - - - - - - - -
>> PROSWELL & WWCARPEN - Proswell & Wwcarpen / ANDREY KIRITCHENKO - True Delusion / ATOM AND PINK ELLN - Live - Volumes 2 & 3 / BAUCHKLANG - Barking News / Rhythm of Time / TOMAS KORBER / KEITH ROWE / GUNTER MULLER - Fibre
+ LOKA - Fire Shepherds
+ DARSOMBRA - Ecdysis
+ THE ETERNALS - High Anxiety - Remix EP
+ DISKAHOLICS - Live in Japan, Vol. 1 / IMPRACTICAL COCKPIT - To Be Treated
+ DAT Politics - Wow Twist
+ V.A. - Suburb the Record Label - Limited Edition Sampler, Vol. 1 / ROBERT RICH & IAN BODDY - Lithosphere / RICHARD GARET / DALE LLOYD / JOS SMOLDERS / UBEBOET - Territorium
+ THE APPARITIONS - As This is Futuristic
+ JOE MORRIS QUARTET - Beautiful Existence
+ MARBLE SHEEP - The Gate of a Heavenly Body / WATUSI ZOMBIE - Buddha Mask Experience / AURAL FIT - Livestock
+ DAVE REMPIS / TIM DAISY - Back to the Circle
+ PSYCHIC ILLS - Dins
+ SONNY SIMMONS - The Complete ESP Disk Recordings / The Traveller
+ MOLE HARNESS - A Present From The Future
+ JACQUES DEMIERRE / BARRY GUY / LUCAS NIGGLI - Brainforest
+ ODYSSEY THE BAND - Back in Time
+ SUN RA ARKESTRA - The Great Lost Sun Ra Albums: Cymbals / Crystal Spears ; Pathways to Unknown Worlds / Friendly Love ; When Angels Speak of Love / SUN RA - Spaceship Lullaby
+ MIMINOKOTO - Orange Garage
+ V.A. - Earsugar Jukebox Series
+ MAXIMO PARK - Missing Songs
+ FREDERIC LE JUNTER - Chansons Impopulaires
+ THE HERBALISER - Fabriclive 26 / CARL CRAIG - Fabric2
- - - - - - - - -
WYWIADY / RELACJE
+ Otwarta struktura - Tymański Yass Ensemble - wywiad
+ Najważniejsze są improwizacje - Sing Sing Penelope - wywiad
+ U szczytu energii - Pink Freud - wywiad
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