Council Meeting Memo #090— Five for Friday
Dreamfish: Dreamfish (Silent State Recordings, Album Reissue)
The dream(fish)team of Mixmaster Morris and (the sadly departed) Pete Namlook could only result in something tie-dyed and tripped out. The appearance of LSD guru Terence McKenna on ‘Hymn’ only solidifies its intent. Yet unlike a lot of other things released on the label at the time, this has weathered well since its original release 32 years ago. The exiting dive of ‘Under Water’ still weaves a unique magic all of its own. SA
Various Artists: Pattern Gardening (Wisdom Teeth, Compilation)
I’ve just listened for the second time to ‘Pattern Gardening’, the mnml comp recently released by Wisdom Teeth. It’s 2 hours and 14 minutes long and comprises 22 tracks. It was nice but not thrilling (but then is mnml ever thrilling?) I probably won’t listen to it again. CB
Various Artists: Pattern Gardening (Wisdom Teeth, Compilation) I’m generally in agreement with my colleague in his sentiments on this ^^^. The Polygonia track was the bestest one, but I struggled to get through a single run of this compilation. Liked the cover art though. SA
Ellen Arkbro: Nightclouds (Blank Forms Editions, Album)
Writing about drone records is bloody hard work. It’s not as if you can hone in on a specific span of time and dissect. No, the only thing you can do is try to convey outward emotions at a very macro level. Unlike other records of its ilk, this does not outstay its welcome. The listening experience was further enhanced by me sticking this thru a real-time audio analysis application called Spectre which gave off some very satisfying visualisations. If you only ever buy one solo organ ambient drone album this year. Make it this one, yeah? SA
Tujiko Noriko: Crepuscule I & II (Editions Mego, Album)
Just really have to pen some quick heartfelt words to this record from 2023. Have been a fan from Noriko’s music from day one and after 25 years of being in the game, I feel this is her ultimate statement. Steeped in ghostly audio; either her disembodied voice or euphonium / saxophone / piano / synthesis drenched in reverb. Resulting in a music that has both plangent and gentle streams running concurrently throughout. Breathtaking. SA
