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New Music for One CD – ‘The Red Thumb’

Last year, I plugged some mics into my tape deck (an old Akai GX4000D 1/4″ reel-to-reel) and recorded Sherry aka Music for One playing some lovely stripped down Resonator Guitar.  She’s got it all edited up and pulled together for release as ‘The Red Thumb’.  Go to the Music For One website for info on how to get your copy.

She’s also playing tomorrow night at the Windmill in Brixton with Tara O’Neill…

Charlemagne Palestine | St Giles in the Field 06.10.08

I arrived at St Giles shortly after Charlemagne Palestine had begun his 6-hour version of Schlingen Blangen and walked into the near empty church.  I’d expected to be locked into a hard on the arse pew and had been kicking myself on the way for having forgotten to bring a cushion.  Instead it felt like I had the place to myself and found a nice spot about 2/3 of the way down from the organ where I could lie on the floor Shavasana, stretched out and ready for some serious listening.

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modular synth wishlist

Following joyous jams at Lawrence’s using his Doepfer System100 suitcase, I’ve now dived into the (eurorack) modular wormhole. Rather than start with a complete unit, I’m doing it module at a time, hopefully it’ll lead to a more interesting system… but will probably take ages! Currently rocking one of the analogue systems synthi filters and a simple doepfer adsr – patching them in & out of my moogerfooger pedals…

If any wishes to help me on my way here is my current wishlist of modules. Remember, Christmas is just around the corner!

+ a bunch of other bits i’m sure i’ll work out I want need…

like:

  • Analogue Systems RS95E Voltage Controlled Oscillator (w/ fine-tuning) – i reckon two of these would be the go!!!)
  • Harvestman Tyme Sefari

U write-up from NORMAN RECORDS

seems the good folk at norman records love it, too:

“Room 40 is that Aussie label with the impeccable credentials, earned from showcasing the outer reaches of electronic & avant garde, uber minimal techno & futuristic ghost pop. They’re like a big conceptual tree made out of origami orchids & unfolding, intricate birds constructed from snow crystals. That’s what the Tujiko Noriko / Lawrence English / John Chantler collaboration CD says to me. Opening with otherworldly poetry from a Japanese lady set to a subtle, organic techno ballad that I could really see appealing to fans of (especially) mid period Bjork or Cocteaus, her voice trailing wispily over a beautifully stunted half paced beat with some gorgeous atmospherics. What an opener! I love the beats on this album, they’re so pure & rudimentary, on ‘Hyouga’ they’re like echo-laden wooden snare cracks mingling with warm guitar shimmers & gently pulsing bass thrums whilst the voice meanders dreamily around the song. I think they’ve, between them, discovered the essence of the magic of 3. This is a beautifully constructed & very pure ambient record full of magic, wonder & the power of voice vs. instruments both electronic & organic. For an experimental label, you’ve got quite an accesible recording here, full of sweet esoteric vocals, dynamic minimalism & spellbinding astral sound that will totally absorb you, if you’ve ears. U is marvellous stuff!!”

Purchase the CD from NORMAN RECORDS