Album of the year 2009

I chose ten music works.

I cannot choose which is the top in this.

But the work which there was here excited me.

ryonkt – Sunlight and Water OUT NOW

Ryonkt (LND009)

Ryonkt is the work of Sapporo based artist Ryo Nakata. In the past couple of years he has become a personal friend, collaborator, label mate and late night whisky drinking partner. We only finally got to meet in September of this year when I went up to Sapporo (in Hokkaido – the northern island of Japan) to play a show organized by Ryo. Ryo was due to open the gig after a short sound-check, yet the sound-check merged into the performance and I was unaware he had actually started I was so tuned into the tones Ryo was playing from his Fender guitar.

As such, people quietly wondered in and just sat down, bowed their heads and became encompassed by the music. Such is the effect of Ryo’s work. His music is unassuming, full of memory and deeply moving. There is nothing stylistically complex about it, nothing that makes you think about technique or technology. He uses a laptop, guitar and field recording. He plays a few chords and notes. That really is it, yet what Ryo does with one chord is more than most artists can do across entire albums. There is space to his work, space left for the listener to fill in the blanks. There is melody, oh such beautiful melody, the like of which too few artists truly possess.

‘Sunlight & Water’ starts and ends with water sounds, but there is a whole lot of sun and light going on throughout these four pieces. Mother Earth rarely had a more beautiful soundtrack. (Ian Hawgood)

Ryonkt – Part 02 by the land of

http://thelandof.org/projects/lnd009—ryonkt/

Celer / In Escaping Lakes

‘In Escaping Lakes’ is the sequel to ‘Cursory Asperses’, previously released on Slow Flow. Where ‘Cursory Asperses’ focused on the slow movement primarily of streams, and other field recordings, ‘In Escaping Lakes’ continues this pathway to expand into a deeper subject, of lakes and their surroundings. Inspired by a painting by Anthony Feyer, ‘In Escaping Lakes’ was made to demonstrate enclosure, depth, and closeness in still places.

Will & Danielle: Piano, Strings, Gong, Tingshas, Voice, Electronics, Hydrophone, Flute.

Tracks:
A Less Distinguished Tributary / Seagrass / Mentioned Fumes / The Light Obtainable In Spaces We Share / Extending and Directly Below / Inoffensive Sets of Misdirection / Calculated Din / Wetness Is Close To Likeness / Horizontal Reflections / Australis / A Buoyant Object, That Rests and Moves In Such A Way /
When Recounting Futures, Don’t Fail To Mention Me

 

Coming soon…

 

distribution link

http://slowflowrec.web.fc2.com/link.html

 

Misound – Stanze di te Reviewed by maeror3

Иногда кажется, что мир независимой, экспериментальной музыки на девяносто процентов состоит из маленьких лейблов, которые издают молодых, не всегда талантливых, музыкантов мизерными тиражами на «болванках». Именно эти «значки» готовы предоставить многим, может быть, единственный шанс донести свои идеи и мысли, их музыкальное воплощение хотя бы до очень ограниченного количества людей.
Японский «Slow Flow records» один из этих лейблов, сейчас активно выпускающий свои релизы. Надо сказать, что эти самые релизы не лишены главного – на этих кусках пластика записана Музыка, пусть не всем доступная и понятная, но качественная и интересная. Итальянский проект «Misound» на своем альбоме «Stanze di te» демонстрирует сочетание «акустического эмбиента» и трансформированных полевых записей, сделанных на разных концах света, в Японии и Англии. Не сильный, но красивый голос выдает неторопливые вокализы в обрамлении звуков скрипки, пианино, флейт, различных шорохов и эффектов. Мелодий ждать не надо – на их месте прекрасно расположились невесомые напевы, глубокие, пронизывающие звуки, красиво сочетающиеся между собой. Все кажется очень простым и доступным, музыка способна прекрасно гармонировать со слушателем и окружающим миром, но зачастую ей не хватает самой малости, чтобы всецело завладеть вниманием, и этим композициям приходится переходить в «фоновый режим». Зато начиная с «The gates» всех, кому в руки этот альбом попадет, поджидает очень глубокий, пропахший вечерней прохладой эмбиент, в котором «живые» инструменты уже довольно трудно различить в потоке медленных, обволакивающих текстур.
«Stanze di te» не перевернет мировоззрение и, возможно, не заставит возвращаться к себе слишком часто на протяжении короткой жизни «болванки» – но послушать его стоит, приятное и необременительное знакомство гарантированно.

http://slowflowrec.web.fc2.com

RPL000 Reviewed by Vital Weekly

Vital Weekly 688.
http://www.vitalweekly.net/688.html
IN THE RHETORIC OF RUPTURE AND RE-APPROPRIATION (CDR compilation by Ripples Recordings)

Last week I was introduced to the music of Ennio Mazzon, and a day later this compilation was sent to me by the same Mazzon. I assume its to introduce this as a new label by him, as it bears catalogue number RPL 000. I recognize some names from the healthy CDR scene, such as Terje Paulsen, Musil and Tiziano Milani, but also new names as Peter Stenberg, Hiroki Sasajima, James McDougall, Glenn Ryszko and Ryonkt. Much like Mazzon’s own release from last week, most this music deals with microsound, computer processing and processed field recordings. Each artist however fills in the blank space in his or her own way. Mazzon’s piece is quite dark and drone like, Sasajima works around with the crackles of branches, and Milani combines both of these ends and adds an undefined instrument. The pieces of Paulsen and Musil, placed at the end of the release, are more in a musical territory than in a soundscape one. The best piece is the last, by Ryonkt, with beautiful sustained tones in the best Alvin Lucier/Phill Niblock tradition. In all a fine compilation, with some great pieces and one excellent piece. No bad score there. (FdW)

Favorite Ambent of May

Celer – Capri – Humming Conch[CD]

Celer – Engaged Touches – Home Normal[CD]

Chubby Wolf – L’HISTOIRE – Gears of sand[CD]

Concern – Truth and Distance – digitalis[CD]

V.A – Cotton – Dragon’s eye[CD]

 

Jazz Piano small pieces [Podcast]

Misound “Stanze di te” Reviewed by Tanner Menard

stanze di te – misound – slow flow rec
May 4th, 2009

Simply put, Misound’s ‘Stanze di Te’ released on Slow Flow Rec is one of the most gorgeous and well rounded albums that I have heard in the experimental/ambient genre. I never make a claim to do totally unbiased reviews. For me, a review is a way to say thank you to an artist and to a label for sharing their work with the world. That said, thank you Misound and Slow Flow for putting out this really remarkable album.

What I love most about ‘Stanze di Te’ is its complex arrangement of source material. Characterized by a lush assortment of environmental sounds, roughly recorded choral, piano, saxophone and percussion sounds with an assortment of granular textures the album takes me to a place where the basic beauty of music is never forgotten. My favorite track is ‘Sonno’ the opener. It is rare for most experimental electronica to start with such a powerful and blatantly romantic tour de force track. Though it is only about two and a half minutes long the opening track packs a sonic punch and opens the door for the proceeding tracks which soften in intensity.

Whereas I am one of the biggest fans of drone, monochromatic tone poems and extreme minimal soundscapes, its a real treat to listen to an album that embodies all of the best elements of experimental/minimal/ambient music while bringing the listener through a myriad sound worlds with ease and mobility. I am also really pumped that pieces were performed live using max/msp patches and recordings of live instrumental performances. There is something real about this music and something original.

Credit also belongs to Ryo Nakata for curating such an amazing series of releases, one after the next, Slow Flow Rec continues to find some of the most innovative voices in the ambient genre. Misound’s ‘Stanze di Te’ is maybe the best kept secret i’ve run into in ages.

http://tannermenard.archaichorizon.com/2009/05/04/stanze-di-te-misound-slow-flow-rec/

segue [into the fall]

all music is recorded and produced by Jordan Sauer using field recordings, acoustic guitars, violin, piano, glockenspiel, melodica, assorted percussion and sine waves via laptop.
‘into the fall’ was recorded during a transitional period in my life when many things began to change all at once. it was also recorded during the spring-autumn season of 2008, and so the emotional trajectory of the album coincided well with the changes in the physical world around me.
for me, music is a form of meditation, of reflection on what was and will be.

“I wear my shadows where they’re harder to see, but they follow me everywhere. I guess that should tell me I’m traveling toward light.”
- Bruce Cockburn

world wide 10.00USD + shipping 3.00USD

 

http://slowflowrec.web.fc2.com/

Four Fragments reviewed by White_line

Having to choose a worthy release from all of the many labels and small producers out there has become a notoriously difficult minefield to negotiate. With a panoply of good and great output, down to the downright dodgy, it is comforting to know that certain suppliers have their hand firmly on the quality control button. Step forward Smallfish, whose releases lately are just getting better and better, and one can rely on great material combined with beautifully designed packaging, in highly collectable editions that look great propped up on any CD shelf. Their latest release, Four Fragments, by Japanese minimalist, Ryonkt is something of a rare gem. Ryonkt, a contraction of the artist’s name, Ryo Nakata is a meditation on the sublime and essential elements of minimalism. Nakata deploys the twin staples in the field of electronica, the loop and the drone, effortlessly merging them into a seemingly organic whole, that is, quite simply the personification of elegance. Nakata’s evenly paced pieces strike a middle ground between the earlier ambient works of Pola, combined with a kind of Phil Niblock tonality. Comparisons here are reluctantly made though, as Nakata’s work, although ambient and drone-like, captures something rare and unique, a language and an approach that betrays the sparkle of beckoning genius. The pieces are washed over with delicate, transcendent reverberations, and minute fluctuations and intrusions, a sublime fusion that leaves me suspended for some moments when it finishes, only to reach out and press “repeat” on my player. I am not exaggerating when I say that Nakata is most assuredly destined for greater things, and his work would easily grace the halls of labels like Touch, such is the depth and quality of his work.

In sharp contrast to the work of Ryonkt, although not a million miles away in terms of moody atmospherics is the work of Monostation, whose Tristimulus EP has also just been released by Smallfish. The Monostation boys are now favourites amongst the Smallfish intelligentsia, and little wonder, as their work explores territories fringing the world of ambience and techno. Each track here sounds like the extended introduction to a full-on techno workout, but then kept in check by it’s creators, it creates a delicious tension between swirls of atmospherics, topped with stringed elements from the guitar as on opener, Spectral Locus. Closing track Metamarism is a more expansive ambient drift work, uniting stringed chords with wispy atmospherics, to engender a soft, yet enticing dynamic. Once again, Smallfish, Monosation, Ryonkt – you have not disappointed..these are two incredible 8cm releases that demand the attention of a wider audience. Highly recommended.BGN

 

http://whiteline1.wordpress.com/2009/03/17/smallfish-new-releases-ryonkt-monostation/

Periodic Wind Release!!

Description:

After almost one year Ryonkt is back to Audiotalaia. After a ascending and outstanding success through this year, the artist from Sapporo delivers another large soundscape of harmonic lines.

This time Ryonkt presents a gentle composition that goes by while listenning. A sonic space where time stops and the soft waves of Periodic Wind drags yourself into a mysterious land.

For this release we are also proud to present the new line of designs for the Audiotalaia Releases. Carla Ariza (graphic designer and digital artist) and Oriol Panadés (Photographer) are going to be in charge, for now and on of the Artwork Team in Audiotalaia,a nd we are happy to encrease the Audiotalaia family.

Tracklist:

01. Periodic Wind
Lenght: 27:14 min

Artwork by: Carla Ariza

Photography by: Oriol Panadés

http://www.audiotalaia.net