Various Artists . APTEK Compilation

The idea of travelling in sound was always close to our general idea of being interested in music – music understood not only as a purely artistic form of expression but also as something intangible yet bearing lots of sociological, philosophical and even political meanings. Not to mention that unexpected sounds are the only ones worth listening to. Probably.

This compilation here is another step into rather unknown territories of sound art – unknown for the westernized ear, for those who have got enough music in their own area (area of interest as well as in terms of geography). Still, when you try to look further than your own familiar neighbourhood, you may find that what’s happening out there is at least as interesting as the stuff you are used to.

Zenial, the author of this compilation, has been doing his research in the East (or post-Soviet countries) for quite a long time and some of his discoveries are real treasures.

Experimental music from countries like Moldova, Macedonia, Uzbekhistan etc. may sound exotic to you, yet give it a try and find out how do they do it there and why are doing it in that specific way. The tracks on the album come from such forgotten lands (at least music-wise) but also from places closer to the main circulation of sound art (like Poland or Russia). What do they have in common? The answer is hidden in the title of the compilation – try to find it out by yourselves.

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Cover Front
Cover Back

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Various Artists . Flowers: Dragon’s Eye Fourth Anniversary

Over the past 4 years, Dragon’s Eye Recordings has come to be a trusted resource where listeners can be exposed to emerging and mid-carrier artists in the field of contemporary electronic music and sound art. Named one of Textura’s ‘Top Ten Favorite Labels of 2009,’ Dragon’s Eye is kicking off 2010 with a free downloadable compilation.

Flowers are the traditional gift for a fourth anniversary and Flowers is Dragon’s Eye Recordings fourth anniversary compilation. On Flowers, Dragon’s Eye presents new and unreleased works by the upcoming 2010 roster of artists. The 2010 roster represents both newcomers and veterans of the label that are at the forefront of contemporary electronic music and sound art.

1. Shinkei – Wu (for Luigi)
2. i8u – Gallowalking
3. Pierre Gerard – Lines/Lignes
4. Tomas Phillips – Tablature I
5. Yann Novak – Shortwaves to Longwaves
6. Celer – A Lifetime of Wasted Breaths
7. Wyndel Hunt – Rotation

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V/A : 2 Favourite Places

Following last week’s Thomas Koner’s mentioning of longitude/lattitude’s in the piece, this compilation, the second in a series, does the same. Each of the ten pieces is a favorite place for the composer. They are also mentioned by the place it is, although then its still not easy to know what it is, except of course ‘my bed’ by He Can Jog. I could of course install google’s earth view thingy, but then I rather listen and imagine these places myself. Oh oops. The booklet provides me with pictures and descriptions of each of the places, which is a nice read. If you read these, you might think that this is a CD of purely field recordings, as there are references to recording dates/times, but I guess that’s when the basic material has been recorded, which was later manipulated. Throughout one can say that these ten composers all belong to the world of microsound, with their minimalist, electronic processing of the original field recordings. Sometimes we hear a bit of rainfall, bird twitter, people talking or snooring in ‘my bed’. Not much news under the sun in terms of music, but throughout I must say this is a nice compilation of well made field recordings, microsound and electronics. Including Lawrence English, Yannick Franck, Micheal Santos, Icarus, Sawako, Jeremy Bible, Austitici, Calika and Micheal Trommer. (FdW) Vital Weekly 696

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eventless plot : good luck mr. gorsky.

Perhaps a granny left some money behind so there could be a label called Granny Records? Their second release, following a compilation ‘Bits Of Quartz Glitter’ is a split release between two new bands, for me new that is. Three pieces by Eventless Plot and three by Good Luck Mr. Gorsky, who open the proceedings here. Also both bands have three members. Stylewise the two bands are related but there are minor differences. They operate both in a corner where rock meets electronic meets improvisation. There is the use of real instruments, guitar, drums, harmonium with the additional use of laptops to create an expanded rock sound. A bit like Fessenden or Haptic does, but in say ‘Olchmin’ by Good Luck Mr. Gorsky things are much more musical. They also use a voice in one track, but the soft mumbling is not really my cup of beer. With differences so small, it’s hard to believe that these are two different bands. I must admit I didn’t notice it until after playing it for the second time and taking a closer look at the cover. The musical quality however is very high for both bands. Great playing, moody music, enough sense of experimentalism, make this a great CD that can easily meet the best in this otherwise not very crowded field. (FdW) Vital Weekly 618

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Various : The Synthi Group Vol. 1

Formed in 1969, Electronic Music Studios (EMS) quickly became innovators for the recording, production and advancement of electronic music. The ideas and designs that bubbled forth out of the ingenuitive minds of Peter Zinovieff, Tristram Cary, David Cockerell and others, led to the creation of some of the most wildly original musical/sound design equipment ever conceived. The VCS3, Synthi A + AKS, Synthi 100, Synthi E, Synthi Logik and the Soundbeam are among these, almost unworldly, devices.

It is often said EMS gear has attained cult status, reaching a fervor of near worship among its users. The Synthi Group is an example and collection of such users. United through the Synthi blog and forum (www.thesynthi.de) and located throughout the world, the group’s members have come together for a planned series of compilation volume releases where the individuality and approach of each member towards their EMS instrument is showcased and broadcasted for all to experience. The listener will hear wildly different examples of styles and sounds that this original, and oft times, vintage equipment can create.

EMS were true pioneers from the very beginning, always looking beyond the culture and times they were surrounded and seemingly trapped in. Still around today, thanks to Robin Wood and Ludwig Rehberg, they are one of the few companies involved with electronic instrument production that have had a continued run since their inception. The Synthi Group have honed the original pioneering spirit and DIY ethic of EMS with their Volume series, a collection of sounds encompassing beautiful dreamscapes, synaesthetic visions, dark ambience, aural abstractions, sonic absurdities, pulsating analog, glitch, ring modulators, and envelope shapers generating trapezoidal geometry. Beginning with Volume 1, the Synthi Group compilations aim to ensure the story of EMS continues well into the future of electronic music production.
[Synopsis by Alka]

tracklist:

Track 1
Artist: Don Hassler
Title: No Subsequent Interaction Synthi Recording No. 1
Time: 2:04
Device: EMS Synthi A MK1
Genre: irritating
Contact: http://www.donhassler.com
Location: USA

Track 2
Artist: The Vegan Surgeons
Title : VCS3ImprovC
Time: 6:53
Device: EMS VCS3 Mark I, recorded and processed
digitally through Audiomulch
Genre: 50-60’s electroacoustic music
Contact: http://www.myspace.com/thevegansurgeons
Location: Scotland

Track 3
Artist : Trap & Zoid
Title : Gnomes evasion
Time: 5:26
Device : EMS Synthi A + Aria AD10 analog delay,
recorded live in one take with Edirol R-09HR, unprocessed.
Genre : live electronics / psychedelic / experimental
Contact : http://www.myspace.com/trapandzoid
Location : Brussels, Belgium

Track 4
Artist: Cray
Title: 29days laterrr
Time: 6:15
Device: EMS Synthi AKS, Pencils,
live improvising into Audiomulch.
Genre: Avant Electronics
Contact: http://www.discogs.com/artist/Cray
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Track 5
Artist: Sam Samshuijzen
Title: Simple
Time: 2:55
Device: Modified EMS Synthi AKS
Randrum pulse generator/divider for the returned ES
triggering of the synthi 4 track analog tape recorder
Remixed with a digital system into a 4 channel composition (4C).
This is the stereo mix of those 4 (2C).
Done in Studio Denkraam, Ede NL, 1980.
It’s called simple, because it makes basic use of a
sequence voltage for one oscillator, while playing
the realtime voltage to another oscillator simultaneously.
Genre: Electronic
Contact: http://www.xs4all.nl/~samzen/
Location: Netherlands

Track 6
Artist: Pin
Title: Can the sound change
Time: 6:40
Device: EMS Synthi AKS, multilayering of sounds, recorded and processed
digitally through ProTools.
Genre: Experimental
Contact: http://www.thesynthi.de
Location: Germany

Track 7
Artist: Mono-Poly
Title: Do you observe?
Time: 6:01
Device: EMS Synthi AKS cv-ed by Blippoo Box witch processes
audio + Delay and Reverb
Genre: Experimental
Contact: http://mono-poly.blogspot.com
Location: Netherlands

Track 8
Artist: Werd
Title: Smirk
Time: 1:44
Device: EMS Synthi A & Roland Space Echo 201
Genre: Exp.,broadcasted in 1979 by radio KRO Hilversum 4
“Collage van Alledaags en Zeldzaam”
Contact: http://werdav.tripod.com/index.html
Location: Netherlands

Track 9
Artist: Johan Schurer
Title: FrogWaltz
Time: 2:05
Device: EMS Synthi AKS
Genre: Experimental
Contact: http://www.myspace.com/johanschurer
Location: The Netherlands

Track 10
Artist: Impulsantwort
Title: Ich kann den Strom in der Wand hören.
Time: 7:00
Device: EMS Synthi AKS 80 treated by EMS Soundbeam recorded via RME
Fireface,
processed digitally through ProTools.
Genre: Drone
Contact: http://www.impulsantwort.com
Location: Germany

Track 11
Artist: THM
Title: Setting Sun
Time: 6:45
Device: EMS Synthi AKS (London UK model from 1975), only some Roland
RE-301
Chorus Echo and SRV-330 Reverb added; recorded and processed digitally
via Cubase 4
Genre: Space Music / Ambient Drone
Contact: http://www.myspace.com/thmsynthfreak
thm[at]pandora.be
Location: Belgium

Track 12
Artist: Delia (Leo Learchi – Luca Isabella – Daniele De Rossi)
Title: Trilogia per Delia (live excerpt)
Device: EMS Synthi A, AKS, E, Digisound 80 modular synthesizer,
field recordings, PC.
Genre: Experimental
Contact: http://www.myspace.com/leomodular
Location: Italy

Track 13
Artist: Alka
Title: Interrupt Structure
Time: 3:57
Device: EMS Synthi Mk1 AKS partially processed through the Elektron
Machinedrum
SPS1 UW Mk2. Further processing and recording through Apple Logic Pro.
Genre: Electronic / Glitch / Experimental
Contact: http://www.reverbnation.com/buryn
Location: USA

Track 14
Artist: Tunnel
Title: Descent
Time: 6:08
Device: EMS VCS3 Mk II, Boss DD-3 Delay
Genre: Improv / Experimental
Contact: http://www.myspace.com/tunnelx
Location: Australia

Track 15
Artist: D. Skevington
Title: Block I
Time: 5.10
Device: Layers of direct and amplified Synthi A.
Genre: Psychedelic/Rock
Contact: http://www.myspace.com/danielskevington
Location: UK

Track 16
Artist: Synthiaks
Title: Bump
Time: 3:30
Device: EMS Synthi AKS, live recording.
Genre: Experimental
Contact: baby_tog[at]hotmail.com
Location: UK

Track 17
Artist: Maelem
Title: Dripping party
Time: 6:59
Device: EMS Synthi A
Genre: Noise
Contact: http://www.myspace.com/maelem
Location: France

Track 18
Artist: Splitradix
Title: Harmony Suitcase
Time: 4:37
Devices: EMS Synthi A, Roland TR808, Sequential Circuits Pro One,
Roland System 100 101, Roland SH101, Roland MKS80, Roland RE301
Genre: Electro
Contact: http://www.myspace.com/splitradix
Location: Berlin, Germany

Track 19
Artist: Level-Repeat
Title: Syncophant
Time: 5:32
Device: Live Performance using a modified EMS Synthi AKS.
Making heavy use of oscillator sync.
Genre: Experimental
Contact: http://www.myspace.com/levelrepeat
Location: United Kingdom

***

Contacts:
http://www.thesynthi.de
http://thesynthigroup.blogspot.com
http://www.myspace.com/thesynthigroup

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V/A : IN THE RHETORIC OF RUPTURE AND RE-APPROPRIATION

Last week I was introduced to the music of Ennio Mazzon, and a day later this compilation was sent to me by the same Mazzon. I assume its to introduce this as a new label by him, as it bears catalogue number RPL 000. I recognize some names from the healthy CDR scene, such as Terje Paulsen, Musil and Tiziano Milani, but also new names as Peter Stenberg, Hiroki Sasajima, James McDougall, Glenn Ryszko and Ryonkt. Much like Mazzon’s own release from last week, most this music deals with microsound, computer processing and processed field recordings. Each artist however fills in the blank space in his or her own way. Mazzon’s piece is quite dark and drone like, Sasajima works around with the crackles of branches, and Milani combines both of these ends and adds an undefined instrument. The pieces of Paulsen and Musil, placed at the end of the release, are more in a musical territory than in a soundscape one. The best piece is the last, by Ryonkt, with beautiful sustained tones in the best
Alvin Lucier/Phill Niblock tradition. In all a fine compilation, with some great pieces and one excellent piece. No bad score there. (FdW) Vital Weekly 688

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NRYY – Melancholy in the dark

N.R.Y.Y. (noise re yacky) has started again since 2008. The musical style is Experimental, including dark ambient, drone, harsh noise, Noise of Orient and metal. I think the method of doing communications that my ambient music is people all over the world. Please experience my philosophy and music. I want to compete with you if interested in me. For instance (split and compilation), Please do contact by all means.

More info and contact:
http://www.myspace.com/nryy
http://nryy.web.fc2.com/

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Front Cover

Back Cover

CD Label

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Impromondays : Wonderful Industry

A compilation of two last sessions recorded at the “Silence Reservoir” venue in Zagreb, Croatia by Impromondays crew:
Dragan Pajic – Pajo: noises, prepared piano, vocals, el. guitar and effects;
Anna Ghallo: poetry, vocals with effects;
Kruno Jost: el.guitar with effects, laptop, prepared instruments.
Recorded summer 2008.
Time: 30 min.

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Alexander Porres Torres : Assorted Assault

Alexandre Torres Porres is a musician from Brazil with Master’s Degree in Composition and currently at a doctorate in Computer Music. Interested in many things from Brazilian Pop Music, Erudit to Noise. He also signs some of his stuff under Mental Osmosis and is the newest addition to LiveNoiseTupi.
In this compilation, you will find some assorted productions. He acts as a composer, performer, and gets sounds out of many instruments at his home studio, but really studies how to use the computer as an instrument, for productions and live performances. More on Torres Porres work http://porres.googlepages.com/.
Length: 20 min
Recorded at ATP home studio in 2007/08.

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V/A : FEEDING THE TRANSMITTER

While listening to music I try to avoid doing too many other things, but then I am not looking at the cover all the time. So it happened that I was listening to this compilation while eating and thinking at one point: all the time this is playing this has been nice electronic music. Lots of crackling, micro techno ambient glitch or whatever you could call this lot of modern electronica, but then it also dawned on me that I never wanted to get because a particular track stirred my interest that much that I wanted to know the name of the creator. Is that odd? Perhaps not. Perhaps its not easy to surprise this listener that much anymore, and perhaps its a certain fatigue. On a track by one Mats Twunky sounded out of place, with its slightly distorted ambient drone, which sounded odd, not bad. Included otherwise are Micheal Santos, Ocp, Maps And Diagrams, Poborsk, Autistici, Pleq Ninestein, Dy, Sinusodial and others. Some of these names you may recognize from releases on 12K, Static
Caravan, Audiobulb or Baskaru, which means this is not just a compilation of second rate copycats that didn’t get anywhere. This is surely one fine compilation with no stand out pieces, but then also no pieces that let the listener down. (FdW)

Vital Weekly 684

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Various Artists : Magnificentia Naturae

Sounds like electroacoustic, glitch, abstract, field recordings…Musica Excentrica – the innovative netlabel of experimental music from Russia – presents a collection of unique sounds of future, modern acoustic researches. We are proud to give you a chance to appreciate our first compilation named Magnificentia Naturae.Blossoming glitches, windy drones, drowning noises, liquid instrumentals dedicated to magnificent, eclectic world of nature, viewed from a distant point of experimental mind of Kevin M. Krebs, Kenneth Kirschner, CD-R, Zolotu, Violet, Dave Phillips and other reasonable artists. Listen online!

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va . summer gate. sun made of gave

MP3 version of disc one of Luv011, a two disc compilation featuring OPN, Rain Cloud, Mattin, Effacer, Tsukimono, Sleeps in Oysters, Cremaster, Gregg Kowalsky, Bryan Teoh, Jeph Jerman, Muninn, Nomad Palace, Implex Grace, AllThatFall, Inlets, Ingrid, Ryan Francesconi, and Bryan Teoh.

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