Ultramarine

[UM013] Ninni Morgia – ‘Ladyboy Sonata’ CS
Thirty minutes of guitar delirium from Italy’s finest avant guitarist. Morgia starts off in his own unique warped way, with a noise psych intro filled with fiery bendings and his signature wild distortion. Then the guitar gets modulated until it’s filtered and thinned out to a hammering, hypnotic cicada chant. It’s a Kafkian nightmare, and when the guitar is reduced to bits, it feels like it’s emitting its last cries of help, like Solmania’s face-cutting licks, or better, like a windy February night walk in NY. Morgia’s guitar work resembles the extended techniques applied to trumpet by Peter Evans and Axel Doerner, both in terms of dynamics and research, especially in richness, clarity and overtones, and also in a beyond-limits live performance (there are no overdubs on any of his recordings). Pro-dubbed imprinted black tapes with a foxxy Ninni on the cover. Edition of 100.  Also comes in a numbered limited edition of 9: same packaging but housed in stenciled ladyboy cardboard boxes by SK. Available only direct from Ultramarine. See/listen/have it.

[UM010] Silvia Kastel – ‘Love Tape’ CS
Silvia Kastel: synth, voice, bass, beats, tenori-on, NatGeo artwork.  A concept tape packed with unconditional love to whoever hears/buys/does whatever with it. C30, white shells with watercolor labels by SK; each tape is unique. Edition of 60; of which 9 come in a numbered limited edition with alternate covers, each one featuring an instant picture of/by Silvia Kastel.

[UM011] Marcello Magliocchi – ‘Music For Sounding Sculptures In Twenty-Three Movements’ CS
Twenty-three wonderful pieces recorded live in a tower in Tuscany, in which master percussionist Marcello Magliocchi plays sound sculptures by Andrea Dami, made of various metals including iron, brass, copper, steel, aluminium and featuring other elements like strings, stones and gongs. Imagine a mix between Indonesian gamelan, Bertoia, Lucier , obscure recordings from Africa, Beaver Harris and Don Moye, all infused with Marcello’s unique approach to polyrhythm, dynamics and modulation, the result of over 40 years of personal studies. Each movement flows through the most disparate sounds: percussive, flute-like, thick drones, lap-steel, bells, cymbals… every sculpture becomes alive and is made resonate in all possible ways, through a fine work of tonal juxtapositions, rhythm interlocks, deep resonation and also using brushes, bows and sticks. The excellent clarity of the recording allows for a full enjoyment of the rich range of harmonics, pitches and clangs produced.  C60 high quality chrome tapes, with photo artwork by Lidia Stranges and watercolor labels by Silvia Kastel; each tape is unique.  Edition of 60.

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