SANTIAGO LATORRE: Eclíptica

themilkman on Jan 26th 2012 12:34 am

Santiago Latorre: Eclíptica

SANTIAGO LATORRE
Eclíptica
ALP054
Accretions Records 2012
08 Tracks. 39mins13secs

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Two years on from his solo debut, Órbita (Accretions), Barcelona-based experimental saxophonist Santiago Latorre delivers a second slice of sparse atmospheric avant jazz for the Californian imprint. If jazz is undeniably part of the man’s lexicon, his extensive use of electronic textures and atmospheric soundscapes hint at much wider terrains. While this was already fairly developed on Órbita, Latorre takes this to a very different level with Eclíptica.

Infused with his fascination for outer space, Latorre creates here a wonderfully light and peaceful soundtrack, where acoustic and electronic sounds combine to form a whole. Continue Reading »

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ERIC GLICK RIEMAN: In My Mind, Her Image Was Reversed (Accretions Records)

themilkman on Sep 29th 2011 01:26 am

Eric Glick Rieman: In My Mind, Her Image Was Reversed

ERIC GLICK RIEMAN
In My Mind, Her Image Was Reversed
ALP053CD
Accretions Records 2011
06 Tracks. 56mins15secs

Berkley, CA-based experimental musician Eric Glick Rieman works with a specially adapted Rhodes electric piano, which has had its cover removed to expose the tines and transistors which are key to the instrument’s sound so he can operate them directly with his hands, mallets or anything else he can think off. Additionally, the instrument is fitted with extended sound boards upon which are placed zinc rods, which can be bowed or hit. A keen improviser, Glick Rieman released his first album of prepared electric piano, Ten To The Googolplex, on Accretions ten years ago, and went on to form the DalabaFrithGlickRiemanKihlstedt quartet two years later. His second solo effort, Lung Tree, was published on ReR in 2005. In My Mind, Her Image Was Reversed follows Eric Glick Rieman’s Trilogy From The Outside set of releases, published on Water Goes Into Air last year and sees him return to Accretions. Continue Reading »

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SLUMGUM: Quarboard Flavoured Fiber (Accretions Records)

themilkman on Jun 7th 2011 01:20 am

Slumgum: Quardboard Flavored Fibre

SLUMGUM
Quardboard Flavored Fibre
ALP052CD
Accretions Records 2011
11 Tracks. 56mins25secs

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Los Angeles-based quartet Slumgum, which comprises Jon Armstrong (tenor sax, clarinet), Rory Cowal (piano, Rhodes), Dave Tranchina (bass, clothespins) and Trevor Anderies (drums), first appeared over three years ago with a self-titled album, published on their own imprint, but the band had been honing their style by performing live for some time prior to this, seamlessly blending composed and improvised work. While their primary concern is as a jazz formation, Slumgum’s music also finds some roots in classical music, especially through Cowal’s fluid and elegant piano playing, and on occasions, world music. Continue Reading »

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VARIOUS ARTISTS: 25 – Celebrating 25 Years Of Sonic Explorations (Accretions Records)

themilkman on Apr 1st 2011 12:40 am

Various Artists: 25

VARIOUS ARTISTS
25 – Celebrating 25 Years Of Sonic Explorations
ALP050
Accretions Records 2011
12 Tracks. 58mins39secs

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Summing up twenty five years in twelve tracks is totally inconceivable, and is in no way the aim of this compilation. What 25 does however is offer a fascinating overview of what the focus of California-based imprint Accretions continues to be, from contemporary jazz to outwardly exploratory work.

Launched in 1985 as an arts and culture magazine, and again a year later as a record label, Accretions has since found itself at the forefront of contemporary experimental music, with a particular affinity for jazz and improv. The label is home to a variety of artists and formations from the likes of musician and filmmaker Hans Fjellestad, percussionist and composer Nathan Hubbard, guitarist Bill Horist or multi-instrumentist Eric Glick Rieman to bands such as Burning Bridges, Donkey, the Trummerflora collective or, more recently Dawn Of Midi or Axis Trio. Continue Reading »

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JASON ROBINSON: Cerberus Reigning (Accretions Records)

themilkman on Feb 11th 2011 01:30 am

Jason Robinson: Cerberus Reigning

JASON ROBINSON
Cerberus Reigning
ALP51
Accretions Records 2010
16 Tracks. 61mins13secs

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Californian-born jazz saxophonist Jason Robinson may have over the years played with a wide range of formations, both as a member and leader, but he has in recent years started to look beyond the realms of jazz to experiment with electro-acoustic performance, using his instrument both in its primary capacity and as a source of sounds which he processes live on computer.

Released a year and a half after Cerberus Rising (Circumvention Music), Cerberus Reigning sees Robinson step away from the bare improvised minimal forms of its predecessor to broaden his scope quite considerably. Here, although the tenor sax is still very much at the core of the record, Robinson adds a soprano sax and an alto flute, and processes his sources much more heavily throughout. Continue Reading »

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AXIS TRIO: Anthem (Accretions Records)

themilkman on Dec 1st 2010 12:46 am

Axis Trio: Anthem

AXIS TRIO
Anthem
ALP049CD
Accretions Records 2010
11 Tracks. 59mins30secs

Amazon UK: DLD US: DLD iTunes: DLD

The cover of Axis Trio’s second album shows a complex set of geometrical shapes arranged in interconnecting symmetrical patterns, highlighting the origins of the three members of Axis Trio. Formed of Moroccan pianist Amino Belyamani, Iranian American bassist Sam Minaie and Pakistani American drummer Qasim Naqvi, also a member with another fine jazz ensemble, Dawn Of Midi, who released their debut album, First, earlier in the year, Axis Trio first appeared two years ago with The Hand, an album released on SNP Records, and have, over the years, performed alongside some of the finest names on the jazz scene. As a formation, they operate on a primarily acoustic template, but their sound, like the intricate patterns of the cover of this album, is more complex than may appear at first. Continue Reading »

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DAWN OF MIDI: First (Accretions Records)

themilkman on Apr 25th 2010 11:44 pm

Dawn Of Midi: First

DAWN OF MIDI
First
ALP048CD
Accretions Records 2010
10 Tracks. 52mins20secs

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Unlike what their chosen name could lead to think, experimental jazz formation Dawn Of Midi operate an entirely acoustic policy. Formed of Pakistani percussionist Qasim Naqvi, Indian contrabassist Aakaash Israni and Moroccan pianist Amino Belyamani, the trio, based between Paris and New York, create with their debut album, released on Accretions, a particularly vibrant and contrasted piece of work, during which they constantly move from shaded to open terrains and back.

Totally improvised and left untouched, with no overdubs to cloud the result, First seems to explode in a variety of directions at first, giving it a kaleidoscopic feel, but repeat listens reveal a tighter focus, away from gimmicks and stylistic effects. Continue Reading »

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SANTIAGO LATORRE: Órbita (Accretions Records)

themilkman on Jun 26th 2009 01:05 am

Santiago Latorre: Órbita

SANTIAGO LATORRE
Órbita
ALP047
Accretions Records 2009
09 Tracks. 46mins14secs

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Barcelona born and bred Santiago Latorre began playing the saxophone at eleven, but it is not until he developed an interest for electronic music, some years later, that he became involved in sonic experimentation. Since, he has composed music for various dance, theatre, fashion and videos projects. In 2005, Latorre also began working on his own solo project, which is collected on his debut album, Órbita, released on San Diego, CA, based imprint Accretions Records.

Using both saxophone and electronics as a basis for his compositions, upon which he also adds accordion, piano, and, occasionally, voice, to create delicately layered pieces, Latorre has created with his debut album a highly personal work. Continue Reading »

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