seven

Amazing electronic sonicscapes sampler from Scotland's souRce research recordings label that moves through shadowy fields of electronic turmoil, discord, and calm apprehension. Through a mix of previously released and unreleased material and excerpts, an overview of the phenomenal work souRce research is releasing is gleaned... a temptation most connoisseurs of dark sonicscape music will not be able to resist. Everything here works, though highlights would have to be as follows: "kutof_fcut," by souRce research (a band as well as a label?!), in which electronic bubbles are popped by reverberant, whiplash percussive tones: an insurrection of clatter from within a battered steel container. The repetition grows more clipped and subtly disjointed as the track progresses, amidst static blips and ratcheted, mutating oddities--I am reminded of the best work of Deutsch Nepal, though this is not derivative in any way. Experimental electronics of this high caliber is a rare find; throughout this compilation, the souRce research tracks impress and intrigue. I only hope that there is a full-length release scheduled for the foreseeable future (please!).

The sinewy patchwork of CoH's "menuet max." shifts from static exhalations, to gulping electronics, to spry rhythms constantly altered and made to squirm. Cattivo's "neither-neither" stitches together looped, ragged cut and paste vocal dynamics that hint at something mysterious without actually revealing the secret; quirky and sensual, despite a sense of loss, occasionally dotted with sobbing in the back, and squished static interspersed throughout. It's more about sensation, as opposed to clearly defined purpose. Their "nepalese love song" also explores vocal distortions, as throaty breathing creates an air of unease; when a shuddering, almost singing vocal (it is, but the rippling textures blur clarity) commences, the effect is disturbing and fascinating. There is, again, an almost sensual derivation provoked by the oily vocals. Both tracks, quite alluring (and a full-length release is slated for their foreseeable future!).

Ovum explores the vast, undefined horizon of infinite space littered with radiating electronic shards during the slow moving "Lavin." Other more than worthy participants include Andrew Poppy (two tracks of obscure, splintered soundtracks to gray dreams), Coil, Cyclobe, Leif Elggren, and combinations therein that include EsRM (Leif Elggren/souRce research/matmos) and AphasRia (Aphasia/souRce research--well, some kind of 'sR_dissections_mx' of Aphasia material). Like I said above, everything here works. A mandatory purchase for anyone with even the slightest interest in quality electronic music.