VARIOUS: "MULTIMOOD RECORDS SAMPLER 1986-1996"
(Multimood MRC 025) cd 1997

This is one of the finest compilations to cross this desk so far this year. The staff at Multimood have chosen twelve of their most inventive artists of the past decade in a well thought out chronology of compositions. The album runs an hour and 18 minutes, and features some of the best ambient, industrial, electroacoustic, and electronic composers of the later 20th century. Most cuts have been edited from the original extended works in order to fit into the constraints of a project of this type. Compositions from 12 artists and 16 different Multimood releases are featured in this compilation.

The album begins with the powerful "Bass Symphony #3" from Berlin legend, Peter Frohmader. Imagine Stanley Clarke on acid, and you get a pretty good idea of this cut. Unlike recent efforts by Frohmader, in which he worked primarily with synthesizers, he works here with electric basses and the Chapman Stick, proving he can do quite a bit with two instruments.The cut has a frenetic bass going from distinguishable fusion phrases to echo laden deep space cycles propelling this Wagnerian wonder into the realms of the imagination. Phauss follows with the eerie "Hafiz Phauss" from Arcana Coelestia. A sufi poem being read amongst the angst of dense musique concret.

The effect is dreamlike, almost nightmarish with electronic drones wafting in the distance as the layered vocals unfold in this gothic tale. Asmus Tietchens offers "Grunschattiger Nachmittag". It is a beautiful haunting piece from his highly acclaimed release Marches Funbres. The mood is reflective, as the marching drums and strings create an ephiany of timbre. American artist Jeff Grienke follows with the hypnotic trance-like rhythms of "In a Thicket, a hybrid of ethnic percussion and high tech processing.

The result is a smooth and soothing buzz of tone and texture. Rodelius is represented by his composition,"Reflektorium", an aptly named piece that is enigmatic and distant and alive and near at the same time. A great dichotomy of mood and texture. The contribution by Tim Story and Dwight Ashley, "Motion Carried" could be an imaginary soundtrack to a space shuttle launching. It brings back the dreamy inner space atmospherics of Vangelis' "Bladerunner" soundtrack.

Other cuts by Keeler, Vidna Obmana, R.Angus, Michael Winnerholt, and Sonic Fractal continue the overall mood which has been a staple of Multimood since its inception. All in all, a well chosen collection of material for this compilation. Anyone with a penchant for the darker side of electronic/ ambient music should definitely add this one to their collection. For an audio sample ( aprox.500k) clickaudio.

information: email: multimood@algonet.se
website:
http://www.algonet.se/~harakiri

Review by Ben Kettlewell


BACK TO REVIEW DIRECTORY





This site is copyrighted ®© AMP/Alternate Music Press, 1997-2024. All Rights Reserved.
Unauthorized duplication and distribution of copyrighted material violates Federal Law.