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Post by andypandy380 on Aug 15, 2016 15:13:29 GMT -5
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Post by acsenger on Aug 16, 2016 7:32:07 GMT -5
I saw this today too and was surprised to say the least! Have yet to listen to the samples, but I really don't like the fact that the CD and LP will have completely different music. A typical record collector nerd gimmick that focuses on physical formats instead of the music.
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Post by andypandy380 on Oct 21, 2016 17:34:11 GMT -5
So, first impressions of this one... - I'm only speaking about the CD version, probably won't end up purchasing the vinyl despite the fact it's essentially another album with different music. (at the risk of sounding bitter, it could have made quite a nice double CD package) I guess I went into this thinking it would be more of a jazz record than it is, assuming Akita would take Sun Ra material, chop it up and glue it back together. The truth is that it runs like a traditional harsh noise record, it is in fact really quite harsh on the ears. The CD is comprised of two half hour long tracks... the first of which is mostly harsh power electronics, incredibly distorted and abrasive, with percussion and jazz instrumentation just about audible beneath it. This does break into brief interludes of percussive sounds and synthesizers. It's very much that harsh 90s Merzbow, it even reminded me a little of the claustrophobic sort of overblown racket from Prurient's 'Pleasure Ground' and 'History Of Aids' records... it's that sort of abrasive electronics, perhaps the harshest Merzbow has sounded in some time. The second track isn't a lot easier on the ears, but perhaps has a little more variety in sound. One notable part (i think) has a loop of wind instruments sped up and pushed to a really high pitch, sounding a little like birdsong. I think there's also a lot more synthesizer. At points it really sounded similar to a Merzbow/Pandi Gustafsson performance, I suspect some of the noise is made with manipulated wind instruments in much the same vein as the recent Gareth Davis collaboration. In all, I was unsure about this album at first, but by the end of it I felt it was a pretty worthwhile listen. Just expected there to be more jazz and more of an emphasis on the original Sun Ra material. If you were to approach it without those preconceptions, in all truth it's a pretty decent harsh noise record. If anyone has the vinyl edition, I'd love to know if it's along the same lines as this...
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Post by davebowman on Oct 22, 2016 9:45:52 GMT -5
I've only heard it once so far, so bear that in mind, but on initial listen I'd say the LP is less 'harsh noise' than the CD - I like it, nice and busy. I don't know much about Sun Ra, but this is definitely a Merzbow-centric release - if I wasn't specifically listening out for them, I doubt I would have noticed this was a 'collaboration'. But hey, that's fine by me - it's just another great Merzbow release - I'm not sure how Sun Ra fans will react!
NB - in case people have missed it, there is an exclusive download only track 'Granular Jazz Part 5 (BBC Mix)'- if you bought the vinyl you get a download code, and can find it there.
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Post by andypandy380 on Oct 22, 2016 16:59:34 GMT -5
I think fans of Sun Ra would be pretty open minded, but then again this really is Merzbow's, project and a Merzbow album much like any other. ie Not strictly a collaboration since Sun Ra himself has been dead 20 odd years, just source material. I think the whole thing was arranged by the boss of Cold Spring records, he came up with the idea and obtained the unreleased Sun Ra stuff specifically for Akita to use. I don't think I would have guessed it was made using Sun Ra material if it hadn't have been sold as a Sun Ra/Merzbow album. It's certainly not the first time Akita has built entire albums manipulating and remixing other material. I dunno though, it's certainly a decent Merzbow album! it's interesting you say the vinyl might not be so harsh noise orientated. I would quite like to hear it to compare the two.
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