BLOWHOLE- STAPLES (7″ by Apraxia)
Blowhole I find a strange affair: they have quite a large output on many small
labels, all in the USA. Their music is a kind of free-jazz, with rock influences
and a touch of industrial music. Leading member is Jeph Jerman, also known from
his solo work as Hands To. ‘Staples’ was intended to be a large project (2x 7″
and a 10″ vinyl set), but now is only a 7″ with separated music on the left and
right channel. So you can play this 7″ at least 6 times. ..The Blowhole sound is
kinda hard to describe: distorted guitars, rumbling strange percussion.
Improvised stuff played at maximum volume and maximum intenseness. Even though
the concept of channel separation is not very new, it fits well with the improv
music of Blowhole. Address: apraxia@apraxia.seanet.com
MERZBOW/TEACULTURE (7″ by Oska)
One could say: now look here Mr. Merzbow: enough is enough, but then: you
wouldn’t hear me saying this. With this new 7″ Merzbow is collaborating with an
unknown UK band Tea Culture. Each band works on material supplied by the other.
Tea Culture lays out a heavy rhythm to which the Merzbow material is mixed in
(or maybe the rhythm is sampled from Merzbow?). Merzbow makes rhythmical cycles
from the Tea Culture material. It is interesting to see that Merzbow uses more
and more rhythmical elements in his music, thus keeping new elements in his
music. And that’s why I still say: too much is not enough.
Address: Oska -40 Dale Crescent -Patcham -Nr. Brighton -West Sussex -BNl BNU –
England
GASTR DEL SOL -THE HARP FACTORY (CDEP by Table of The Elements)
David Grubbs (once from Bastro) and Jim O’Rourke (world famous for lots of
things) run this as duo. They started out by playing ‘songs’ , guitar, voice and
accordion but on their latest CDEP ‘Mirror Repair’ (by sin Graft) it was clear
they moved into different territory: classical instrumentation (piano, clarinet)
in sober harmonies, stripped down, yet powerful. This new work sees the two in
what is called ‘an orchestral composition’ .Backed up with guest musicians, such
as the complete Brise Glace line up (Jim’s ‘rock’-band) , this 17 minute
composition is a strong collage, played with acoustical elements. Sometimes the
wind instruments play long and continuous tones that built in intensity, around
10 minutes in the piece a piano motif comes in, with the voice/vocals. When that
has disappeared a drone takes over. Though it sounds electronic, it probably
isn’t. This really is a CD to play over and over again, to reveal it’s complete
beauty. Design is also superb.
Address: T.O.T.E. -P.O.Box 5524 -Atlanta, Georgia, 30307 -USA
TONY CONRAD -SLAPPING PYTHAGORAS (CD by Table Of The Elements)
After his initial involved with La Monte Young and Faust, he is around again.
Two years ago his almost 30 year old recording. Outside The Dream Syndicate’
was released on CD, now here is a new piece, in two parts. Written by Conrad,
who plays violin and bass. Other instruments were played by Jim O’Rourke (who
also did the production) and (again) Gastr Del Sol and Brise Glace. A lot of
guitars and violins. The sound of those two main instruments can be heard very
well on this recording, without adding too much electronics (if at all!) .The
first piece consists of drones being played, scraping sounds on the violin. The
second piece starts out being a continuation of the first piece, but stops
abruptly, and a short interlude is played (the sound of a wind instrument
becomes apparent) and after that the micro-tonal scraping starts again.
This is not minimal music in the traditional sense (read: Steve Reich, Philip
Glass c.s.) but of a more radical nature. Not quite easy listening music, but in
a way quite intense.
Address: as above
CHOP SHOP -PLAYS EMIL BEAULIEU (CD by Pure)
On the fastest growing label in the world with the lowest prices it i hard to
keep track of ‘m all. But here’s one I like particularly like. As I am quite
fond of Chop Shop’s experiments with speakers, and the decaying sound that comes
from it, he treats the noise from our friend Emil into a continuous stream of
noise. Although Chop Shop’s sound may be easily characterized as ‘industrial’ it
maintains interesting aspects, whatever the input may be.
Address: Pure- 151 Paige St. -Lowell, MA 01852- USA
JOHN WALL -ALTERSTILL (CD by These)
As far as I know Walls second CD and the man is a sampler freak! On each of the
5 tracks on this CD he samples the hell out of classical music. Many violins,
percussion and sometimes stretched out vocals. On some occasions interrupted by
heavy guitars and (very few) electronics. The samples are brought in staccato,
with many changes (at certain times one is reminded of Stravinsky or Bartok) and
interruptions. That this is not just a gimmick, but actually quite good
compositions. makes this into quite an enjoyable CD.
Address: 367 Wandsworth Road -London SWB 2JL -UK
TWIST (Compilation CD by T&B)
With so many new house acts around, and as many styles, the question for the
pioneers become more and more actual. Cleopatra jumped on the bandwagon by re-
issuing the total Kraftwerk back catalogue. Now another pioneer are Chris &
Cosey. The technopop in the early eighties built upon the 014 Kraftwerk style,
but sounded less cold and far away. This compilation sees 9 remixes from the C &
C back catalogue, by seven current dance acts, plus Coil and C&C themselves.
Don’t be fooled by some of the house names included here, such as Carl Craig,
Vapourspace, or u-ziq. Most of this remains close to it’s original, except that
the tempo is more up to date. Virtually all tracks remain on the more
experimental side of house music, which is a good thing. This is a great tribute
album to, indeed, great electronic pioneers.
Address: 5/6 Broughton Place Lane, Edinburgh, EHl3RS
THE SQUARE ROOT OF SUB -ZONG (CD by KK Records)
This is a solo project by one member of The Self Transforming Machine Elves, who
delivered a great ambient dance on KK Records earlier this year. Here is a solo
work, with 6 tracks, one representing the female aspect of life, one the male
and the 4 seasons. The music has nothing to do with the sort KK normally
releases, but it is a fine 90s work, rooted firmly in electronic music, musique
concrete and more ‘industrial’ (without the harsh over tones normally found
overthere) edge. Added are the sound of a violin and flutes to round it off. No
rhythm passages to be found here An excellent CD of well balanced, very modern
and experimental ambient music. A pity
that the credits can be read. Address: kknz@kkrecords.be