REVIEWS [o]

Othin Spake - The Ankh CD. (Rat Records RAT004)

Absolutely beautiful, totally live and improvised journey into the hearts and minds of three genuinely creative young Belgian artists. I say beautiful as I listen to the final track Part Two: Deity Ame; a finely balanced, almost classical thirteen minutes of sonic ambience with a poetic restraint remeniscent of Metheney or Rypdal. On the rest of this cool collection there are other painterly and relaxing moments earlier on in Höor and Plastic Picollo Factory Box for example, but the majority of the album demonstrates some fine and intense, fiery energy from this young and promising trio who show a maturity and group synergy beyond their age, especially when you are reminded by the sleeve notes (in the tasty black digipack hand crafted by drummer Verbruggen's brother Peter) which state 'All free improvisations: no harmony, form, melody or structure was set in advance'. It's quite heavily electric-guitar led as an album but the playing is strong. My favourite track is the insane Certified 31% Evil which (used to be up on their myspace site). Here, the stunning action of Jozef Dumoulin's Fender Rhodes, Teun Verbruggen's drumming, and Mauro Pawlowski's guitars synchronise on every level in a tricky, well executed and ultimately loud and satisfying cosmic journey easily levelling up to some of the best free-jazz-rock around today. Just had notice that a brother album to this (recorded at the same period) entitled 'Child of Deception and Skill' is now out on Rat Records. Excellent!

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Pics from recent Freenoise gig featuring Teun Verbruggen and

Osprey - 'Beta' CD Ep. (Acousmatic - 2007)

We were sent a download link to this awesome material which isn't yet out (such are the perks of the job) though these guys have already got 'Alpha' out on this specialist digital label who themselves have almost a dozen seriously cool albums on the roster. 'Beta' is three tracks between the 12 and 16 minute mark (making it longer than most standard 'EP's) and the experience is enveloping. Galactic swathes of gently shifting tones from electronics and heavily processed guitars are the dominant theme but don't think you know the genre. Subtle and sophisticated, the huge range of colours in the individual pieces and within the myriad of changes inside these apocolyptic style epics are well thought out and passionate, even inducing emotional response in this hardened listener. Quality sound systems wil love it at volume and even at the 160kbps mp3 level we've been sent there are layers of wonderful sonic vistas to behold. With good prices on iTunes too (and a homespun label you should support), the only regret is Acousmatic don't have solid CDs or even vinyl to enjoy these heartfelt experiments to the full.

Acousmatic - (with snazzy built in player giving you full tracks from all artists to sample!)
See Acousmatic on iTunes