Dolphins into the Future – Voyage Series pt2 – Taped Sounds

I gotta say… Dolphins into the Future totally kick my ass.  This project is the main focus of Belgium-based musician/tape manipulator, Lieven Martens (If you check the credits… I have to think that Alex Murphy is just another way to confuse identity?).  The dude takes this game to a new level.  He steps it up, mixing tape loops and sounds to create a bizarre glowing atmosphere, one that seems to provide a pathway for it’s listeners to communicate with our animal ancestors.  It’s good weed for those of us that would like to abscond from the earth-bound existence.

Lieven runs a label, or maybe a set of labels (?), that seem to come together under the name Taped Sounds (see bread and animals / cauliflower / taped sounds and I’ve seen Dreamtime Taped Sounds  too).  There is tons of good stuff on this label, with lots more to come.  In addition to releasing all of the interesting current stuff out there, he also re-released a classic LP from JD Emmanuel: Wizards.  I heard that this sold out in 10 days.

There have been a few reviews out in cyberspace-land that seem to mention this guy’s got some sort of super power with regards to altering tape loops in the live show setting.  After seeing this video, I have to say I can’t disagree.  Check it out here (sorry… I hesitate to embed too many You Tubes).  Uhhhh… did i say see?

This tape is weirdo gamelan music from the depths of the ocean.  It’s a mix of “tapes, special effects, synthesizer, sampling keyboard, organ, percussion, kalimba” (that is taken from a strip of folded paper insert stuffed inside the case).    There’s one long track on it that will completely confuse you.  It’s a repetitive track that has this odd vocal sound that comes in and out; it could be a dolphin, it could be someone moaning in their sleep.  After this track you enter into this clinking/clanking  metal sound, as if pieces of cymbals are being tossed around on the kitchen floor by toddlers.  Buried underneath, but rising, a near unintelligible drum circle seems to ensue.  Cut in some more dolphin sounds, this time distant and gurgling beneath the surface.  And then it goes to this dreamy synth track, a magical journey to an uncharted island, ending in a rain forest next to a stream.  This is just one of the sides.  I won’t spoil the whole thing as this is well worth finding an original copy.

So here’s his myspace: http://www.myspace.com/pulsatingspacegum and his contact info:  DREAMS.THE.SHIP @ GMAIL . COM

I know you want to hear this stuff so head to this page and download some Dolphins: http://nonotfunnotno.blogspot.com/2008/11/dolphins-into-future-untitled-cs.html (then go buy some if you can get your hands on a copy).

And as for his label… I noticed a couple weeks back that the Taped Sounds site seemed to go away… I believe this is the replacement: http://cetaceannationcommunications.blogspot.com/

Steve Hauschildt, The Stairwell is Long Gone, Deception Island, Cass (di19)

Listening to this tape reminds me of the slow days fishing with my pops as a kid… staring intently at the red and white float at the end of the fishing line as it bobs up and down on the surface of the calm forest lake.  If you were to imagine you as the bobber, half-submerged, not knowing what lies beneath you… you’re getting closer to what listening to this feels like.

This cassette is layers of thick melodies, constructed with analog synthesizers and probably some sort of looper pedal.  Steve Hauschildt has a knack for the thick sounds.  If you’ve heard any of the Emeralds stuff, you already know this and I’m preaching to the choir.  In fact, all three members of the group have released excellent solo and side project releases.  I’ve heard Mark McGuire’s solo guitar works and John Elliot’s projects: Lilypad, Hot Air Balloon Ride and Outer Space.  All of it I highly recommend.

Steve Hauschildt’s stuff tends to be fairly minimal, mostly drone-based (but not boring), it’s a bit on the heavy side, and it ususally emits positive vibes.  This release is no exception.  It’s ambient energy field music that unlocks the expansive landscapes of the mind.  Excellent stuff.  This was available from  deception-island.com (now it’s sold out).

Just a quick note… the Taped Sounds link now seems to be broken… so I’ve linked to tomentosa’s section.

Treetops, Deep Purple Infinity, Taped Sounds, Cass

Mike Pollard is Treetops.  It’s more than appropriate to give this dude some props.  Just check out Arbor.  This is inspiration.  Originally from Western Springs, IL, this new age experimentalist synth drone wizard started this totally kick-ass label.  I think he is now based in New York.

This tape is drifting layered synth melodies… floating goodness… blowing in the wind… you as the sound of the leaves swaying with every gentle gust.  Flip the tape and at first glance its seems like a static drone.  But the volume fluctuates, textures emerge amidst the swells and a steady rattling ensues.  An unwilling customer might think that there is something wrong with the heater.  Subliminal lifting motions begin to color the seemingly static image.  Things are coming to an apex, but one that we will never reach in life.  And as the drone begins its decent, we find ourselves in a cave, in the company of a furry creature hiding in the dark, its low growl, a set of controlled jolts of forward motion, like the manual winding of a reel; tape upon a tape head.  All of this under an ethereal sea of blue-green light.  I recommend laying next to a candle when you listen to this one.

One last note… the noise level on this tape is substantial.  I am almost positive that this is a Type I tape (complete with single notches to prove it)… but rest assured, this is not a complaint.  I think there are certain works that aren’t negatively affected by a ton of tape hiss.  This instance of a more ambient, drone-based work isn’t negatively affected.  A high standard of sound quality should not necessarily be a priority.  It should be noted that there are tons of Type I tapes out there and they cost less.

All Gift Tapes releases will be recorded to tape.  We believe that the analog recording process preserves the integrity and soul of the sound.  This method provides specific limitations to the creator which promote a more hand-crafted music, simplifying the relationship between human and machine.  The nature of analog recording encourages careful forethought for each creative decision and frees the artist from the false digital infinite.  Additionally, the method of production and distribution in the midst of a consumer-based economy requires artful consideration.  We aim not to create commodities, but to enliven a folk mentality… where art is circulated as gift.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FK4Wpw5cVbg&feature=related

I found out about this little synth fairly recently.  After looking at some youtubes… this seems to be the most annoying one.  I’d imagine it’d make a cool noise toy gift (gifts are good) to give to your most annoying relative’s kid – 50 bones and it’s analog.  Maybe they can work on playing a backing synth part to some Steven Halpern records… fill that shit in a little.  The other cool thing is you could be the geeky uncle that gives him his first electronic lessons – you gotta build it from a kit – check it out: Gakken SX-150.  My uncle Bill gave me my first calculator watch and it changed my life.  Anyone checked out that JM Jarre DVD?