Cody Yantis - Resonant Memory (PT004)

Planted's seeds sprouted the super bud of tapes. Peace and love to my friends at Humboldt Relief :)

Planted Tapes returns in style with a lovely cassette by Cody Yantis. Admittedly, one of the most salient attributes across some of my favorite releases is the manner in which an artist explores the relationship between the texture of a tone and space. Resonant Memory is exemplary among recent releases of this type; the fragility of a resonant murky string juxtaposed to variegated sustained tones that dance among chirping birds; bolts of sonic lightening erupting from the guitar in the manner of Steven R. Smith; withered piano chords decompose, their energy redolent. Additionally, the banjo is notable on this release. Yantis' approach to recording Resonant Memory utilizes piano, banjo, electric guitar, and percussion among other instruments with the Akai GX - 4000D reel-to-reel tape machine. Upon pressing play, the sound bellows as one merges to the vibrations with alacrity. Yantis' heartfelt banjo melodies and crafting of the atmosphere evoke memories of listening to Tape and the Hapna label. One of my favorite sections occurs near the end of side A as withered tones fracture in the air next to a field recording of children playing - quite lovely.
                  
While you're perusing the goods on offer at Planted, check out the informative and exclusive Q&A with Cody Yantis. Planted Tapes has a permanent spot on my top shelf - trichome heaven. Resonant Memory comes in an edition of 100 tapes. Assembled meticulously by the Planted crew, the photographs are credited to Cody Yantis. One may purchase a copy directly from Planted Tapes. 

peace and love, friends :)

Lake Mary - Komerabi (Cut#6)

few compare to this tape. peace and love to my friends at Humboldt Relief :)

The ambient field has swelled over the past few years, resulting in the emergence of some wonderfully talented artists. However, the immense amount of music currently available makes it difficult to listen to everything desired. Friends, this is one of those tapes to which we are going to light up together in celebration! Komerabi, Lake Mary's recent release on Polish label Wounded Knife, separates the wheat from the chaff putting forth 50 minutes of sonic tranquility. The two tracks which comprise this release, both based on improvisations that feature Inner Oceans and Eric Rich respectively, resonate placidly to bring warmth to your environment.      

Lake Mary springs forth warm drones and heavenly vibrations as the tape begins to roll. The blooming of
awareness begins as the sun peaks over the soul. Embryonic light heals and flourishes; ethereal sound engulfs the atmosphere. Unexpectedly, percussion and various strings appear, vastly changing everything. Shortly the percussion exits, leaving a gorgeous welter of sun dappled strings followed by a flowing ambient passage The lovey vibrations first heard on Planted Tapes are abundantly present. The flipside continues the ascent. A faint drone grows strong progressively, pulsating and then regenerating. Gorgeous, solemn sustained tones flower in the stereo field. Patient tones slightly vacillate before rising. Entrancing piano imbued with poignancy becomes audible. Wailing distended tones swell as notes from the piano cascade lightly. The apex reveals the glistening valley, which is minimal containing piano and swirling sonic elements. Springing out of the morning sun, banjo and piano diffuse progressively, rippling until engulfed by light and airy sound resonating in alignment with the breath. Cascading keys settle into a pattern flanked by pastoral strings.

Komerabi, limited to 50 hand-numbered copies, sold out quickly from the label. The elegant artwork, produced on handmade paper with leaves/plants debris, matches the heartfelt beauty of the music. Unequivocally, Komerabi is essential for those who appreciate lovely ambient music. While the physical copy is unavailable, the digital files may still be obtained directly from Wounded Knife.  

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 :)

Nathan McLaughlin - Karen Studies (ST13)

These beautiful deconstructions are devoted to Humboldt Relief.  Peace and love to my friends over there :)

Even before pressing play, I had a hunch that Karen Studies would be a tape to remember.  The emotional honesty expressed on the j-card encompasses one in a spectrum of energy that radiates from Nathan McLaughlin's banjo.  This latest release from Nathan, on Scissor Tail Editions, is a tape that concerns the folk musician, Karen Dalton.  More specifically, these are deconstructions of  'Katie Cruel', an old American folk song most prominently recorded by Karen Dalton.  Her version is renown for good reason. Within the last seven to ten years, White Magic released a record on Drag City that contained the track - another beautiful rendition. Karen Studies consists of two side-long tracks, each of which consists of three parts.

       Being such a moving, affecting track, Nathan's reworkings of 'Katie Cruel' proficiently exhibit the banjo's range.  Side A, Promises, commences with sustained, vibrant passages that inculcate the living space with a sense of anguish.  In the next section, lucid, poignant strings hover uneasily - plucks producing sorrow so visceral.  The first two parts of side A are ones to remember.  On the flipside, incipient drone slowly exudes energy.  Shortly, notes waffle with apprehension in the presence of creaking drones.      

Through these resonant reworkings, Nathan bestows a level of emotional intensity on the listener that is omnipresent.  It's the type of sonic energy that hangs uneasily, waffling in the still air, almost paralyzing - the listener hanging onto each manifestation of sound. For anybody that appreciates banjo, Karen Dalton, Stephen R. Smith, and more generally, sound and experimentation, then I recommend to move quickly before this one is OOP.  Produced in a limited edition of 100, Karen Studies may be purchased directly from Scissor Tail.

peace and love, friends :)