Flatland Frequencies
A strange and beguiling collection of (very) heavily processed, lo-fi field recordings made daily throughout January. Moments of reality blur with occasional splutters of acid, guitars and ground loops, all consumed by an enormous fog of delay and reverb, which gives the collection a proper disorientated dementia vibe. Well, I enjoyed it anyway!
Out now via the wicked Tone Burst
OHM: The Early Gurus of Electronic Music is a compilation of early electronic music and excerpts from the period of 1948 to 1980. Many included works are essentially experiments with sound, using a variety of non-traditional instruments including homemade circuits, tape ribbon and early synthesisers.
“The advanced societies of the future will not be governed by reason. They will be driven by irrationality, by competing systems of psychopathology.”
J.G. Ballard
Dystopian writer J.G Ballard needs no introduction and is one whose influence has stretched beyond literature across all mediums. From successful screen adaptations by Cronenberg (see Crash), to influencing lyrics for bands like Joy Division and Hawkwind (to name just a couple).
With this present compilation, curated by Raffaele Pezzella (Sonologyst), ZeroK label (in collaboration with, Lars Bröndum, Eraldo Bernocchi, Gavin Morrow , Joel Gilardini, Esa J. Ruoho, Heikki Lindgren, Mario Lino Stancati, Erik Jarl, Roberto Quezada, Jarko M. Hedenius, Janne Liimatainen, Mombi Yuleman and Christian Schneider) provides sound descriptions of the dystopian world narrated by the English master J. G. Ballard in his novels and short stories, creating an imaginary soundtrack of those s/f masterpieces.
Woodford Halse keep the tapes coming thick and fast, covering all manner of experimental electronics. This next one from Nunton Eletrikz (aka Nick Edwards) is particularly interesting, a collection of very raw synth jams that could easily be mistaken for an early electronic sound experimentation from someone like Joji Yuasa.
The press release reveals some insight into the tools used in the process (Arturia Microfreak, Korg NTS and stylophone ), however the manner in which the tracks are executed goes far beyond any signature synth preset, which is the essence of what experimentalism should be.
Fast becoming one of our fave labels for cutting edge electronic and experimental music, Unexplained Sounds Group are consistently curating high quality various artist compilations, organised by global region.
This time, the expanding ‘sound mapping’ collection of CDs lands on the Scandinavian electronic underground as its point of focus.
The album is predominately drone-based excursions, ranging from cold, baron soundscapes, to densely layered synth excursions. However, on my first proper listen through, it’s the tracks that venture into more experimental tonal territory which really piqued my curiosity, with the wonderfully wonky ‘Ilmeisesti’ by vÄäristymä and the hypnotic ‘Nightbreeze’ by Havdis being particular favourites.
Order the CD/Digital now via their Bandcamp.
Out latest session on Mutant Radio is now online, with resident selectors Luke Sanger, Jeran Portis, Toby Tobias and Sseagulls. Only the finest Elektronische, Musique Concrete, industrial no wave, om shanti house and library core.
Picked this up on Bandcamp last week after casually scrolling over a post on the Ciat-Lonbarde FB group. Glad I clicked, as what awaited was a magical sound world, weaving electronic and found sounds into a tapestry of molten and frazzled textures. In parts it reminds me of Cornelius, especially the wry humour.
The nerd in me enjoyed listening out for the signature Ciat-Lonbarde sounds, especially noticeable on the aliased destruction of samples the Cocoquantus imparts on everything it touches. However, this shouldn’t detract from what is a really original, fun and considered body of work.
Christopher Otto, the violinist and founding member of JACK Quartet, brings a strict mathematical approach to acoustic composition and performance. Unfurling drones begin at a base frequency and methodically work their way outwards, causing shifts and minute imbalances between the (impeccably) recorded instrumentation. Utilising just intonation tuning techniques, the result is some really interesting and unique timbral combinations.
According to the blurb “Otto drew inspiration from a particularly complex interval known as the ragisma — a ratio of 4375:4374. The size of this interval, 0.396 cents, is so small that most would say it cannot be perceived as such by the human ear.”
The record has a strong mathematical concept, however it works on levels that can be enjoyed purely as a great tonal record and which rewards deeper listening, especially when referencing the sleeve notes. Speaking of which, the sleeve and overall package follows in the gorgeously high production standard as set in previous greyfade releases.
Keep your eyes on greyfade for a copy.
Shot during the last hour of daylight on the evening of 9/11 from Basinski’s rooftop, this single-shot film coupled captures the decaying melancholic tragedy of events that would shape the passing decades.
Tracklist:
| Antiflower | Lewis Hunter |
| Part 2 (extract) | Polypores |
| Late Night Black News | Progetto No Name + DuoSerpe |
| Benelevatoir | Lewis Hunter |
| Only Casino For Miles | Luke Sanger |
| Zaruchejnaya feat. Lunar Abyss Deus Organum | Subterranean Source |
| Part I B | Dechmont Woods |
| Epsilove and Ployer Fower- Auguries of Innocence | Epsilove and Ployer Fower |
| Between This World And The Next | Ghostwriter |
| Part I G | Dechmont Woods |
| Phrygian Pan | Luke Sanger |