Label: Not On Label – none
Format: Cassette, Album
Country: UK
Released: 03 Jul 2020
Genre: Electronic, Folk, World, & Country
Style: Experimental, Minimal
Fresh local delicacy! Long incubated over a series of visits back to his Cumbrian homeland, Manchester producer Contours joins the dots between deep 4th world percussion, classic minimalism and spiritual jazz through this humble tape release. It’s a seamless mix of traditional and electronic elements, taking heavy hints from Balinese gamelan and Central African polyrhythms yet steeped in a sense of introspection owing to the deep, isolated soundings in which it was conceived. Collaborating with local instrument builder / ceramist Seth Sutton, the pair drench a set of balafon pieces in heavy tape delay and reverb pedals, recalling the ethno-percussion trips led by Futuro Antico, whereas ‘Keld’ (featuring renown Cellist Abel Selaocoe) sinks skimming, minimal flute notes into pacifying polyrhythms and stark plucked improvisations that edge towards something more spiritual. Equally heady is the closer ‘Okutama’, with heavily dubbed chords and hand-drumming immersed in dense field recordings of insect orchestra and nature. Considering the very homebrewed and DIY nature that underpins the thing, Tom Contours & Co have seriously outdone themselves here, a deeply transcendent listen that certainly catches you off guard. Looks great too - each with individually hand-painted lino print by artist Kitty Hopgood, PLUS 100% of profits from this release will be donated to Kids of Colour and Colours Youth Network, a Manchester-based organisation that provides a platform for young people of colour to explore race, identity and culture and challenge the everyday, institutionalised racism that shapes their lives. Ok DONE.. limited copies. (Mint / New)
Tracklist
1 Balafon A 3:34
2 Keld 6:00
3 45npr 4:57
4 Room Cycle 6:46
5 Balafon B 6:02
6 Eastern Bells 5:17
7 Okutama 7:00
