SM051 EXPO ’70 – ‘Filer à l’anglaise’ CS
The LP version features 3 extended jams from the latter days of the working relationship between mainman Justin Wright and Matt Hill (prior to his wonderful recordings under the ‘Umberto’ moniker). Recently unearthed by Justin specifically for this vinyl release (although watch out for an extended version for cassette only later) the set starts with the wonderful zoned out pulse of “Acerbic Lament†interspersed by Wright’s piercing guitar tones and textures. “Winter of Discontent†is more organic, otherworldly and in places reminiscent of some of the early Popol Vuh catalogue. The reverse features the epic sidelong “Ceremony of the Blindâ€; constituting 3 parts and to these ears represents one of the finest sides to the huge Expo 70 catalogue. A compelling cosmic soundscape punctuated by evolving waves of carefully constructed synth and guitar drone with flurries of percussive pulse, particularly on the closing section “Eternal The Nightâ€. Another essential addition to the ever growing Expo 70 collection, this cassette combines the Deep Distance LP tracks with 2 bonus tracks. Limited to 100 Cassettes + download.
SM053 LAUBE – ‘Schwach Gekerbt’ CS
Laube are back and not interested in playing around. None of the tone has been left to chance. The raw material has been mastered by James Plotkin, the sound testifies that it’s been worth waiting for three years. “Schwach Gekerbt†is the logical progression to its predecessor “Ausmerzen†in regard to Laube’s notion of Adagio. Again self-recorded in their rehearsal room with Resl von Konnersreuth as their patron saint, the exercise of this material yields sonic oneness in its discrete and continuous moments. It’s a machine, like the artwork suggests. A well oiled, organic one. And if oil is its outcome, you get the many facets lying in here. Laube used severe sounds for that, like those of broken cymbals, a ’73 Fender Rhodes Mark 1 piano, a Fender Studio Bass tube amp, Korg MS 20’s filters and assembled field recordings, samples, bowed single-string-drones and tape loops. On the track “classic cream†you even get to hear an adapted tape of the german poprock group PUR. “pewter grey metallic“ has been recorded in a church, solely played in the rain on a pipe organ. There are details to discover, like the unusually interacting bass and Rhodes lines, sometimes entwining, than punctual arhythmic, dissonant, dissolving in subtle harmonies – all too slow over cutting drums.Just a few aspects could have been scraped out in these lines and writing about music is always unsatisfying. So after listening again to this record after quite some time, I am left speechless, finding myself thrown back into that reality the record began with: having a cup of tea or coffee, still some oil on the table. Faintly crenated- that’s the translation of the german title, is actually an understatement, this album is leaving some marks. Limited to 80 Cassettes + download.
