Flatland Frequencies
Lovely EP of rhythmic tones and pure drones, performed by Marc Méan (Ciat Lonbarde Cocoquantus & Plumbutter, FX) and Fabien Iannone (Serge synth & FX). A well rounded selection of five tracks that balance the lush, off-kilter plumbutter drums, with the raw tonal power of the Serge.
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.
Gorgeous micro looped tones and fuzzy, cascading drones form the sonic landscape of the 12 varied pieces here. From the organ-like tonalities in ‘Wind for Weighted Keys’ sometimes reminiscent of A Rainbow In Curved Air (albeit mangled in a most pleasant way), to the crunchy tape-like twists and turns in ‘Outcrease’, there’s a real positive energy coming from the LP, of which I’ll be returning for repeat listens.
Out now on CD and Digital via Bandcamp
Ambient / Synth / Experimental:
T. Jervell – (K) En sommerdag i Kroken (Ruter)
Hoavi – Music For Six Rooms (Balmat)
V.A – Anthology of Experimental Music From China (Unexplained Sounds Group)
International Sangman – Death Roads & Spirit Ways (Ish Records)
Never Temple – Throwing Around an Invisible Ball (Golden Ratio Frequencies)
Polypores – Crystal Shop (Waxing Crescent)
The Transcendence Orchestra / Ali Wade – Storming Heaven / Demons (Frequency Domain)
Richard Norris – Hypnotic Response (Inner Mind Records)
Lewis Hunter – Folk Album (Bandcamp)
Hainbach – Schwebungssummer (Misc.)
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.
| Field Recording (Holkham Beach, Norfolk, UK) 17 Años – Medio Mutante Peter Pan – Los Iniciados Russia – Elisa Waut Way Out Of Living – Linear Movement Surface Tension – Analysis Time – Schicksal Distortion – Philippe Laurent Big Man – Plus Instruments Reassurance Ritual – Das Ding Witches – Secret Life I Hear The Bells – Danton’s Voice Nuclear, Sí – Aviador Dro Vulcani – Carmody Beli Dekolte – Oskarova Fobija Golden Dreams – Deux |
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.
