Label: Fylkingen Records – FYLP 1012
Format: Vinyl, LP, Compilation
Country: Sweden
Released: 1977
Genre: Electronic
Style: Musique Concrète
Lesser known concrète compilation put out by the Swedish arts institution Fylkingen showcasing three pieces resulting from a 'Electronic Music Competition' held in 1975. After receiving over 250 unique compositions, the discerning jury whittled it down their favourite three. Kiki sound-artist Denis Smalley takes first place with 'Gradual' - a seriously sparse piece comprised of processed brass and clarinet resulting in some quite alien sounds / timbres that would be been more more shocking in the mid-70's than today, whilst rarely spotted Canadian composer aims for something more garbled with his playful reel-to-reel manipulation and college piece 'Reel-A-Phil' which draws comparisons to that incredible 'Casse-tête' LP from fellow Canadian Bernard Bonnier. Taking the bronze (despite getting my pick!), is a rare piece put together by Argentinian GRM alumni Beatritz Ferreyra whose work rarely surfaces save for a batch of CDs and impossible to obtain comps. Arguably the best dated of the long, 'Siesta Blanca' takes influence from the seasons and is a mind-trip through tentatively creeping microtonal drones, processed / cyclical organ motifs and more tense, sparser moments that are interrupted by stark electrical animations. Top recommend for anyone interested in the early stages of electro-acoustic music. (NM/NM).
Tracklist
A1 –Denis Smalley Gradual
Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Performer [Trombaphone] – Kjell-Inge Stevensson
11:00
A2 –Beatriz Ferreyra Siesta Blanca 14:20
B –Philippe Ménard (2) Reel-À-Phil 15:10
Total Time: 40:30
