VITAL WEEKLY 22 Week 48 BIS/THE GOLDEN MILE/THE DELGADOS/MERBOW (double 7" by Che) Che is a label that exists since 1991, but this is the first time I hear about it, obviously because of the Merzbow connection. All Merzbow die-hards should get out and get this. His side of this 7" is awesome: a high pitched electronic rhythm with cracked sound makes this the future of breakbeat and jungle. Merzbow never ceases to amaze me with new directions in noise music. And hopefully it will bring the fans of the other 3 bands the 'light' of Merzbow. These three can best be described as 'indie pop bands' with post-punk guitar music. Not at all of my interest, but I had to get this anyway -and so must you. Watch out for a forthcoming noise compilation CD on this label too. (FdW) // Address: PATRICK ASCIONE POLYPHONIE-POLYCHROME (empreintes digitalis) I first heard the work of Patrick Ascione on a collection of stuff released on CD as an audio documentation of the Prix International de Noroit 1989. The piece was titled Lune Noire and it is also the first of three compositions on this 1995 release of some of his work on the impeccable Canadian label empreintes digitalis. Lune Noire is sonic topography, little is recognisable in this new audio terrain which is viewed multi-dimensionally from extremely unusual angles in strange at tractor space. Many of the studio techniques, and I suspect, some of the sounds used on Lune Noire occured earlier on 'Sur Champ D'Azur' which was finished in 1986. It's a study of the sky as canvas and the clouds that cross it. Huge slabs of sounds interspersed with microscopic investigation move us across this azure field as it slides past us. Truly enormous -this man has seen how big clouds can be. 'Values of the Shadow 'ends this CD with it's' ...exploration of a somber region of dark sonorities of the electro-acoustic palette and is also therefore a quest for the light...' (of course! ). Domains of the Shadow are flat spaces...the edges are sharp. Nothing offers protection or cover, every thing shifts, jitters and moves. Electronic insects buzz and whirr are silenced violently and then return mutated/evolved. Space tightens as we advance. oozing ahead of us...A Glimpse of Light. Ascione incorporates a broad spectrum of techniques in his work. He has signature trademarks and they are good because they work effectively as suggestive audio information. This ,together with his knowledge of how fast audible space can change raises him a notch above his contemporaries. As usual with the empreintes digitalis series, the full power of the sound quality is best appreciated under headphones unless you have extremely tolerant neighbours. (MP) // Address: 4487 Rue Adam -Montreal -Canada H1V 1T9 TONART FUNF (Off Scale) I've only liked two pieces on two separate releases by Tonart and I cannot remember what they sound like now. I have to admit this before dissecting the latest in the series. All compositions on it are bound by the rule that only each others' voices may be sourced for sound material. Three composers get four tracks each on this release and on a few rare occasions they encourages me to cross the line between 'so what' and a thoughtful 'hmm'. Sadly though, this CD too often wanders off into the realm of cringe -this happens very early on the CD and tainted the rest of my attempt at listening pleasure. Perhaps the best works falling within the limitations of this concept have already been composed. This CD does little that is new, except perhaps sporadic attempts at humour, which being the audio equivalent of slapstick end up falling on their faces. (HP) // Address: Off Scale - Augustr. 19 - 10117 Berlin - Germany TOURNESOL -MOONFUNK (R&S Records) Now here's a different kind of space-closer,more recognizable and often much warmer. I've only ever heard another of their releases on R&S titled 'kokotsu' which came out in 1994,and while this new CD contains some familiar elements from their previous work,the first thing I noticed from the cover was that all the tracks are a lot shorter than before. More diversity. And what diversity! Moonfunk opens with a beautiful stereo arena which returns several times through the CD although is inhabited by different species of sound each time. It slides from commercial house thru dub and slack rap to completely off the planet (some areas certainly belong on the same orb as FSOL) It is when Tournesol explore much weirder spaces that they retrieve and convey their strongest and most atmospheric impressions. Immerse yourselves in Junglemovie', 'Electrowaltz', 'Scapeland' ,'Mapping Your Mind' and '2095' .Listen to it all the way through and on 'Shuffle'. It works! (MP) // Address: ZANESI STOP! L'HORIZON/PROFIL-DESIR/COURIR (INA.GRH) I was introduced to this composer through a too brief track on INAGRH's 'Concert Imaginaire' compilation. Shortly thereafter Hetamkine released 'Grand Bruit' on their miniCD series. The first 8'00 of 'Grand Bruit' are truest hard chill aiding and abetting the attainment of escape velocity with such apparent ease it's awesome. This may be his first full-length CD on InaGrm and it has three compositions on it dating from 1983 -1989. 'Stop! l'horizon' is a wonderful exploration of sonic events between us and the edge of our auditory perception. Field recordings interact with studio work in a beautiful narrative. Distance is defined. The 'Profile Of Desire' has many shapes in the sevcond composition. Breath holds this piece together. Flowers within flowers The transluscent, oily glow at the calyx end of a petal. The final track 'Courir' starts with closely miked mouthnoises. Once again another interpretation of a familiar idea. Heavily processed voice fragments are cast and flung onto this surface. Less engaging than the other tracks probably because of the persistent panting which endures throughout it's 15'00 length. (HP) MANUEL MOTA -ENVIRONMENT ANALYSIS REPORT (CD by Ananana) Last year I reviewed the first (mini-CD) by Manuel Mota. There he performed one piece for acoustic guitar played with a bow and sticks. The acoustic guitar plays a big role on this full length CD and it is played again with bows, bottlenecks, Chinese restaurant sticks, picks, felt sticks, but the entire music is enhanced with environment recordings. The 19 pieces are called 'Ear Rings, Mic Trips', but if you listen to this, without watching your CD player, you will, in my opinion listen to one piece, one long collage of sound and guitar. The environment sounds are in generally soft and stand in opposition to the guitar Bound and feedback Bound (this because of the use of open microphone in combination with amplifiers). In general I am not too fond of improvised music, but this CD is one fascinating piece of music. So, in spite of the unknownness of this man, I'd say: buy this! (FdW) // Address: Ananana -Apartado 21671 - 1137 Lisboa - Portugal MAGAZINES EX MACHINA Number 2 is a French magazine, and has interviews with Death In June, O Yuki Conjugate, Deutsch Nepal, Batchas, Inanna and contains lots of reviews, nicely sorted by label. Nice looking lay-out. // Address: c/o Arnaud Clergue - 1, Rue Lacroix - 69003 Lyon - France Octopus Number 3 is also french written, and bigger then Ex Machina. Better lay-out too and a somewhat wider field of well-known bands, like Bill Laswell, Foetus, Coil, Casper Brotzmann, Rapoon but also Kasper Toeplitz, Noel Akchote, and reviews. // Address: 47 Rue Des Trois Bornes - 75011 Paris - France Vivisect Number 18 features Dance Or Die, Staalplaat, Mexican Industrial and reviews. The most fanzine of these three. Address: Vital Weekly is published by Frans de Waard and submitted for free to anybody with an e-mail address. If you don't wish to receive this, then let us know. Any feedback is welcome . Forward to your allies. // Snail mail: Frans de Waard -P.O. Box 11453- 1001 GL Amsterdam - The Netherlands // All written by Frans de Waard (FdW)