Noir and Antic Hous - Catoptromancy (GLD028)

fuel for a deep exploration into the unknown.  peace and love to my friends at Humboldt Relief :)  

There are few inhabitants in the areas where these sounds manifest.  When one listens to Catoptromancy, by Noir (Jesse Osborne-Lanthier) and Antic Hous (Michael Plante), it is the experience of disparate sonic elements completing the other; of sound coming into being and then departing; the birth of something from unlike sources. One of the most attractive facets of this release is the experiential component and awaiting that which will next occur.  Jesse and Michael created these compositions with an array of instruments: custom modular synthesizer, reverberation tank, Teac A-2340 reel to reel, Jomox T-Resonator filter matrix, trumpet and hybrid computer software. Released on Goldtimers, Catoptromancy is not dominated by any one element.  Rather, it succeeds in exhibiting the relationship of opposite elements/ideas and exploring sound. The beautiful, minimal artwork does an excellent job of portraying the music.  Regarding mood, some may perceive it as dark ambient music.  However, move beyond preconceived notions.  This is head candy for the sonically obsessed. 

 Sustained tones whir and echo beyond the periphery on 'Floats Forever'.  Meanwhile, 'Fever Dance' could be some type of space ritualistic zoner - it adeptly combines pulsations and resonance.  The churning noise and buzzing sound of 'Capitulating Oscillations' ends with submerged oscillations juxtaposed to signals and hiss.  Perhaps my favorite is the first track on the flip, 'Altostratus Hair'.  Perfect for meditation, it has the resonant quality of a raga.  Surging waves of sound resonate strongly.  Shortly, a nascent drone is noticeable. It garners strength quickly.  Hovering over everything with its golden energy, the tones modulate and massage the head.  The lucid waves of sound soon move to the background, replaced by something more opaque and removed - lovely stuff here!!

Limited to 50 copies with a double sided j-card and professionally duplicated, Catoptromancy may be purchased directly from Goldtimers.

peace and love, friends :)

Polluted Water / The Original Flowering Earth - Acid Mine Tide/Morphogenetic Intent (GLD 027)

the kief on top of the bowl - magical stuff.  peace and love to my friends at Humboldt Relief :)

Split releases that exhibit a contrast between artists provide an intriguing listening experience.  When it comes to splits, Goldtimers is one of the best in the tape game.  Combing their discography, one encounters excellent tapes from Kevin Greenspon/Former Selves; Christopher Merritt/Sound Out Light; Venn Rain/Past Utopia and many more.  They have outdone themselves with the Polluted Water/ The Original Flowering Earth (OFE) split.  This analog gem is a blend of experimental/kosmische/new age vibrations.  Polluted Water is an effervescent elixir of disparate elements.  Even cell membrane technology cannot normalize this water.  As it flows downstream, it accumulates matter, becoming more potent and variegated.  Yet, there is nothing sordid about consuming this jacked up kosmische brew that bubbles with sci-fi energy.  Drink deeply my friends!  The blinding light and serenity of the Original Flowering Earth reside in the unadulterated azure sky.  OFE harvests the crystals from your synapses.  This new age beauty blooms at the zenith, where the eternal sun dwells.

Polluted Water's side, 'Acid Mine Tide', travels a tortuous path replete with various vicissitudes.  The A side starts with synth music for inner gazing.  The initial section is a lofi amalgamation composed of a warm drone, grainy transmissions, morphing vocals and echoing soft tones.  Soon, the synth is blurred, moving into and out of focus - bright in focus, obscured when it is more removed.  The sonic results are gorgeous, sounding like Black Dice circa Beaches and Canyons/Boards of Canada tracing the contour of a rainbow.  These sounds secrete the crystals that make your bowl blaze!!  Decayed percussive sounds give way to synth that exudes sun damaged hues.  The various textures, ranging from smooth to splitting at the ends, are lovely.  A section of aural dissonance leads to a sanctuary in the ether.  Solemn organ and chanting lead to the lectern.  Once the traveler swallows the wafer and pulls the veil back from the arc, pulsing preternatural vibrations and rhythms become consuming - sci-fi renderings that lead one down a foreboding corridor.  Soon aural ellipses - alternating between enervated and excited states - dominate the head.

The Original Flowering Earth's side has become one of my favorite ambient/new age jams.  'Morphogenetic Intent'  embraces your head with all the love and serenity of mindful breathing.  Side B rewards the attentive listener.  Yet, the interminable waves of tranquility will undoubtedly transport you to a relaxed state.  Never inert, this track is always becoming.  Each subsequent wave presents a new cycle of the breath, with slight variations that shimmer in the forefront of your head.  Nascent, warm waves of energy, coupled with benevolent oscillations, ascend placidly.  The pulsating serenity at the apex has the effect of the sun warming the torso.  As the track matures, especially near the end, the changes are more perceptible.  The tempo decreases, moving into languorous territory.  Sublime stuff on this side!

The recent Goldtimers batch is replete with quality, and this tape oozes with lovely sounds.  Acid Mine Tide/Morphogenetic Intent was produced in a limited edition of 50 pro-duplicated tapes with a double-sided j-card.  Don't wait on this one - Goldtimers tapes move quickly.  Purchase a copy of this great tape directly from Goldtimers. 
                    

peace and love, friends :)