Flatland FrequenciesNice minimal piece popped up on Soundcloud from Easel-maestro Todd Barton. Analogue FM tones give way to plucky Buchla percussion, which subsequently descend into stereo chaos. Always a pleasure to experience a wide sonic range wrung out of one instrument in real-time.
This was originally streamed as a live improv on Bandcamp Live. In hindsight, I think it’s an OK set, with range of moods and timbres. My fave sections are the looser unpredictable bits (mostly phonogene-related weirdness) and in the future will try to focus in more on these techniques. Maybe a bit overkill on the pentatonics, but there we go…
Things used:
A bit late to the party with this one, but still worthy of a mention. The debut release from Swedish musician/composer Egil Kalman, who plays modular synth and double bass.
A strong record, which balances rich and interesting beeps and FX, with engaging melodic motifs over thick drones and arpeggiated backing. The sound quality of the Synthi 100 really shines through with some great playing throughout.
‘Kingdom of Bells Egil Kalman plays the Synthi 100’ is his debut album as a solo artist.
Digital available at Bandcamp
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.
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.
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.)
Ingentingskogen or (according to google translate) ‘nothing forest’, is a new collection of drone works from Tomas Nordström, noughties techno survivor and one half of cult heroes Transexual Swedish Rebels (TSR), the greatest live techno act to come out of Sweden and possibly the world. So it’s always a welcome sight to see new material transmitting from his Stockholm base.
Ingentingskogen is solely based around the Sequential Circuits Pro One synth, layered through various effects whilst Tomas was learning to repair the instrument. The general vibe is quite dark, but varied in intensity, from the power drone zones of ‘Natten regnade I cmoll’, to the softer palettes explored in ‘Stampvall’. All of which demonstrates the juicy tonal character of the instrument, without drowning it in effects.
Lets hope this is just the beginning of more pure synth excursions from Mr Nordström!
Russian producer and Shells Rattle label owner, Hoavi brings 10 tracks of dubbed-out dreaminess to the Balearic-based Balmat label. Serious production values here, with filtered echos fluttering across lush, evolving synthscapes. Japanese minimalism meets Berlin-school dub techno.
The sharp attention to detail carries from the sound to the visual, with another gallery-worthy cover piece from José Quintanar.
Recommended.
Vinyl and digital at bandcamp.
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.