Ignatz / Sophie Cooper - Split (TORCAS005)

girls scout cookies, milk, and the analog warmth of Ignatz and Sophie Cooper -what a nice treat! peace and love to my friends at Humboldt Relief :)

The music of Belgian blues/folk artist Bram Devens' project, Ignatz, does not take much time to permeate the head. Ignatz creates these intriguing hazy musical environments comprised of stories sung by raw, visceral strings that warble. On this split with Sophie Cooper, Ignatz strikes gold immediately with the lofi folk that characterizes "Introduction". A touching and moving track, the pace and spectrum of sound it emits recall the early records of Jim O'Rourke. The melody and folk strings of "Licorice" is another touchstone of side A. "For Sale" moves in a slightly different direction. Murky, poignant drones and solitary strings produce ominous moments.

I would buy this split based on the strength of side B alone. Residing in Todmorden, singer songwriter Sophie Cooper's side is comprised of psychedelic pop/folk, noise and drones. The music on this side is deeply affecting. One of my favorite aspects of side B relates to the vocals of the artist, which are treated to create songs redolent of intimate and poignant moments. According to the label description, Sophie's art is informed by life. The honesty, which is felt throughout, makes the music shine. "Once My Heart Was Blind" opens the flip with shimmering strings and breathy vocals. Later, a welter of resonant strings combine with hazy vocals to create a dreamy atmosphere. The track becomes more heavy toward the end with the introduction of Jeweled Antler-esque riffs before cascading strings acquiesce to the haze. The second track is the real star of this side. Between this track, "We'll Laugh About This When We're Older (We Won't Know Each Other Then", and the first track on Ignatz' side, I could loop them perpetually. Wistful vocals and poignant folk guitar alternate between states - hauntingly beautiful. The third and fourth tracks move in somewhat of a different direction, especially the fourth. "I Never Associate Dreams With Anything" adroitly utilizes harsh, vacillating noise; drones; vocals; and found sound as a metaphor for the haziness that characterizes dreams - an incredible side of music.        

Tor Press is quickly becoming one of my favorite labels. Not only is Jake Blanchard's artwork amazing, but he is also proving to be a wonderful curator. Produced in a limited edition of 75 pro- dubbed cassettes - featuring artwork by Jake Blanchard - it is sold out at the source and pretty much everywhere. However, Eclipse appears to have the last few copies.  ensure that you procure one of the remaining copies by contacting Eclipse.

peace and love, friends :)

Hellvete / Jake Blanchard - Split Cassette (Torcas006)

purps and drones. peace and love to my friends at Humboldt Relief :)

Even before proceeding to the music, the artwork is among the best that I have witnessed this year. For those of you unfamiliar with the artwork and designs of Jake Blanchard - proprietor of Tor Press - I highly recommend perusing his personal webpage. Jake is responsible for the artwork on Mike Gangloff's Popular Hollow release as well as Pelt's Effigy among other releases. The artwork kind of corresponds to the disquiet-instilled drones that characterize the first part of 'Due Penance' - omnipresent vibrations. The split cassette featuring Hellvete - Glen Steenkiste - and Jake Blanchard, on Tor Press, exhibits fine attributes of each artist while also highlighting facets not yet heard in their repertoire.

 Hellvete's tranquil passages of cascading sonic light - 'Haardstaar VII' - on side A balances the palpable anguish and dread that ominously permeates the listener wave after wave in side B's 'Due Penance'. Hellvete's side is comprised of three distinct tracks. The opening track, 'Winterwind', is comprised of minimal drone and percussion. Near the middle, a transition occurs in which the listener is infused with concentrated reverberating energy. Delicate notes echo through the soul towards the end. 'Haardstaar VII' is the radiant sonic constellation that shimmers in the head of the listener. To trace these layered undulating waves with the breath is an exercise in awareness. Sustained drones garner energy and subtly shift prior to returning to its original state. Glen ends side A with delicately plucked banjo and percussion. Jake's music on the flipside fills me with alacrity regarding future releases. After listening to this side many times, I get the feeling that Jake's two releases from 2013 are only the beginning. The first track, 'Call Forth', is quite lovely and different from the foreboding and stellar Archaic Practices. Buoyant and dusty strings are contained within a passage of opaque ambient sound that shifts throughout the duration. The aforementioned 'Due Penance' is the final track on Jake's side. After the first section, there is a perceptible shift as the drones become more intense until reaching its apex and descending. The track turns plaintive and hazy toward the end.  

If you're into splits or the these artists, then this tape will fit nicely in your collection. Released in a limited edition of 75 pro-dubbed tapes, the last few copies are available directly from Tor Press or through Norman Records.  

peace and love, friends :)

Zero Map - Cerebrum Paté (TORCD04)

diffuse psych vibes for head expeditions. peace and love to my friends at Humboldt Relief :)

Up, up and away!  When Zero Map orbits your head, one can be sure of an entrancing trip.  The third eye zoners that comprise their discography exist in many forms: charged ritualistic hymns; electronic transmissions that hover ominously; noise glitch conflagrations; inner gazing quests with heavy psych drone as the conduit; intimate vocal drone and sustained strings.  Personally, I love the manner in which their music is unpredictable.  It travels on a luminous, variegated continuum through space.  Head warriors will dig this!

 Zero Map is the project of Chloe Wallace and Karl M V Waugh, who are both members of the A Band. Cerebrum Paté, on Tor Press, harvests one's psychoactive particles to fuel Zero Map's sonic dream machine, which rumbles, resonates and reverberates in the cavernous recesses of the head.  Much like the numerous neutrinos that emanate from the sun, 'Neutrino Detector' moves through the listener unimpeded, the disquiet palpable.  Heavy, rumbling currents smolder in the vastness while cavernous explosions are audible in the distance.  A mellifluous wave emerges, yet is cloaked in the consuming rumble and echo; stuttering glitches and vacillating signals periodically abound.  Cascading electronics give way to voluminous, torpid loops and slight rumble.  Toward the end, minimal drone and glitch billow from the speakers.  Awesome track!  The following track, 'A Python', exhibits a different side of this project, consisting of otherworldly, resonant drone, which spills forth from the speakers - engrossing!  Shortly, an electronic maelstrom ensues among conspicuous rumble.  Near the end, the noise peaks, moving into a territory unlike anything on the cd.  Encompassing blasts of noise buttress the listener, before being released into the open expanse of space.  

From the top shelf to your head, these heady crystal-covered zoners come enclosed in a lino print card sleeve, which features the artwork of label proprietor, not to mention incredible artist, Jake Blanchard. Cerebrum Paté may be purchased directly from Tor Press.                  

peace and love, friends :)

    

White Meadows - A Time For Drunken Horses (Torcas003)

lovely sonic explorations.  peace and love to my friends at Humboldt Relief :)

One of the year's most interesting and eclectic releases comes from White Meadows.  Over the past five months, a lot of lovely music has graced this head.  Yet, I have not encountered anything comparable to this rich, intricate tapestry of ambient/experimental sound that is informed by science, travel, cinema, and Islamic culture.  White Meadows is the project of Harpist/Photographer, Maria Thompson and Peter Taylor, of Mortuus Auris & The Black Hand (MABH).  Being an ardent acolyte of MABH's Stunned days, A Time For Drunken Horses, on Tor Press, finds this budding duo exploring mystical zones.  Throughout these various explorations, the versatility and skill of the artists is saliently present.   Peter and Maria  improvised live with Heather harp, re-worked violin, homemade percussion and turntables.  The listener is invited on an aural adventure that includes light and airy atmospheres; introspective, solemn soundscapes; eastern influences, field recordings and heavy elements.

'Alma' commences the adventure.  Elongated tones coalesce to produce a warm, sinuous drone in the beginning.  Soon, ethereal passages of sound intercede, endowing the track with tranquility.  As the warm, sinuous movement drifts beyond perception, dark and light elements move to the front of the recording.  Field Recordings and samples combine with a deluge of tones in the second track, 'Birds'.  Copious shimmering tones ensconced in nature wash over the listener - quite lovely and unexpected!  The next track, 'Hullamok', is one of my favorites on the tape.  It exhibits the gorgeous harp playing of Maria.  Aquatic sounds are joined by harp and various samples.  The quiet reverberations of Maria's harp embrace the listener.  Precious august light permeates Maria's harp on 'Apple' - an absolutely gorgeous, albeit short,  track.  Those that enjoy Colleen will be in heaven.  Ominous tones and meandering currents await in the last track of side A, 'Adhra'.  The listener drifts through the dark, unsure of that which approaches -  until Maria's reverb-soaked tones massage one's trembling soul. A great track to finish the side!  The flip starts with eastern vibrations, gently plucked harp that drifts pleasantly and samples.  Unlike anything on the tape, it  glows with otherworldly beauty.  The latter part of this track includes lovely tones from the violin and serene rhythms.  'Ghasgai' presents an opaque climate.   Sounds are barely perceptible in the rolling haze, until a loop of reverb-soaked piano is juxtaposed to a film sample.  'Frogs' mixes samples and Peter's re-worked violin.   His frenetic playing, which exists behind a cloak, combines nicely with samples/field recordings.  It is quickly followed with tender plucks from Maria's harp.  'Andes' puts forth a tropical, relaxing vibe in the beginning.  However, after several vacillations, it departs to an atmosphere where Maria's harp glistens.  'Cloud' gives one the impression that they are listening to a different tape, as it begins with acute electronic currents.  Slowly, obscured samples are added.  The track begins to pulsate with heavy energy.  Soon, the aforementioned elements disappear and samples of synth pervade the mix.

A Time For Drunken Horses is the debut release from this excellent duo.  With material also on Reverb Worship, I eagerly await the next release.  Produced in an edition of 50, the tape features the lovely artwork of label proprietor, Jake Blanchard.   One may purchase this tape directly from Tor Press. 

  

peace and love, friends :)