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Ian Boddy & Dave Bessell - Polarity (DiN87)
With
the DiN label celebrating its 25th anniversary it’s perhaps important
to remember that one of the founding principles of the imprint was to
encourage musical collaborations between different artists. Indeed label
boss Ian Boddy has previously collaborated with eight separate
musicians, including such luminaries as Robert Rich, Erik Wøllo, Chris
Carter, Markus Reuter and Mark Shreeve (as ARC). Thus when the UK based
Awakenings electronic music concert series invited Boddy to perform a
gig alongside Dave Bessell an opportunity arose for a new, untried
musical collaboration.
Bessell of course is no stranger to followers of DiN records with his solo work, albums alongside Parallel Worlds and his part in synth supergroup Node. Both artists played solo sets before joining forces for a stunning 60 minute joint performance. This album features the latter set which is split into two longer sections followed by their ambient encore.
Opening proceedings with retro abstract synth meanderings it’s not long before Boddy’s signature Ondes voice shines through the gloom and a calm, gentle section sees Bessell join in with the beautiful tones of his Aum guitar. After a brief ambient interlude Boddy begins to build a wall of sequencers brick by brick with Bessell soloing on Minimoog before the music all comes crashing back down to the eerie tones that started this set.
The second piece begins with unusual, piquant harmonic progressions from Bessell overlaid with pizzicato percussion. There follows a lengthy, extended sequencer session which is again meticulously constructed by Boddy and his arsenal of modular synths. Whilst Bessell provides an arc of ever rising chordal pads Boddy continuously twists and turns the ostinato patterns as this section rises to a monumental sonic climax.
Following such hectic, rhythmic textures the duo opt for a gentle, blissful encore with each artist improvising against each other with warm, analogue chords and pads.
Polarity again shines a light on the wonderful opportunities collaborations can offer, especially in a live performance where each artist has to not only play but also listen to, and respond to the other performer.
Bessell of course is no stranger to followers of DiN records with his solo work, albums alongside Parallel Worlds and his part in synth supergroup Node. Both artists played solo sets before joining forces for a stunning 60 minute joint performance. This album features the latter set which is split into two longer sections followed by their ambient encore.
Opening proceedings with retro abstract synth meanderings it’s not long before Boddy’s signature Ondes voice shines through the gloom and a calm, gentle section sees Bessell join in with the beautiful tones of his Aum guitar. After a brief ambient interlude Boddy begins to build a wall of sequencers brick by brick with Bessell soloing on Minimoog before the music all comes crashing back down to the eerie tones that started this set.
The second piece begins with unusual, piquant harmonic progressions from Bessell overlaid with pizzicato percussion. There follows a lengthy, extended sequencer session which is again meticulously constructed by Boddy and his arsenal of modular synths. Whilst Bessell provides an arc of ever rising chordal pads Boddy continuously twists and turns the ostinato patterns as this section rises to a monumental sonic climax.
Following such hectic, rhythmic textures the duo opt for a gentle, blissful encore with each artist improvising against each other with warm, analogue chords and pads.
Polarity again shines a light on the wonderful opportunities collaborations can offer, especially in a live performance where each artist has to not only play but also listen to, and respond to the other performer.
credits
releases August 16, 2024
Our thanks to Ian Boddy for providing us with a copy of this release.
Performed by Ian Boddy & Dave Bessell at the Awakenings, Lea Hall Pavilion, Rugeley on 25th November 2023.
Mixed and mastered by Ian Boddy April 2024.
Thanks to the Awakenings team:
Phil Booth - coordination & sound
Dave Buxton - raconteur
Jez Creek - projections
awakenings-em.co.uk
Ian Boddy plays:
Eurorack modular
Moog Matriarch
Buchla Easel Command
Analogue Systems French Connection
Make Noise 0-Coast
Novation Summit
Ex-Friend Synth
Analogue Solutions Generator sequencer
Dave Bessell plays:
Alesis Andromeda
Minimoog & Moog Sub 37
Osmose
Vermona Perfourmer
Deepmind 12
Behringer TR9
Eurorack modular
Engine sequencer
Gibson Les Paul & Aum guitars
Jam Origin MIDI Guitar 2
Our thanks to Ian Boddy for providing us with a copy of this release.
Performed by Ian Boddy & Dave Bessell at the Awakenings, Lea Hall Pavilion, Rugeley on 25th November 2023.
Mixed and mastered by Ian Boddy April 2024.
Thanks to the Awakenings team:
Phil Booth - coordination & sound
Dave Buxton - raconteur
Jez Creek - projections
awakenings-em.co.uk
Ian Boddy plays:
Eurorack modular
Moog Matriarch
Buchla Easel Command
Analogue Systems French Connection
Make Noise 0-Coast
Novation Summit
Ex-Friend Synth
Analogue Solutions Generator sequencer
Dave Bessell plays:
Alesis Andromeda
Minimoog & Moog Sub 37
Osmose
Vermona Perfourmer
Deepmind 12
Behringer TR9
Eurorack modular
Engine sequencer
Gibson Les Paul & Aum guitars
Jam Origin MIDI Guitar 2
license
all rights reserved
Artwork by quiet details in collaboration with James Bernard
Design by quiet details
Extremely pleased to say that next up with their interpretation of quiet details is the wonderful James Bernard.
Since the 90s James has been responsible for some of the most beautiful and inspirational music around, crossing genres and always having a firm footing in the most ethereal of spaces.
Starting with the hugely influential album, Atmospherics on Rising High Records, James has continued to evolve in the thirty years he has been honing his craft.
Many self-releases and on leading labels such as A Strangely Isolated Place and Past Inside the Present, in addition to his work as a mixing/mastering engineer, have led to James being considered one of the leading lights in modern ambient music.
Only Now shows exactly what James is about in this moment in time. Stunningly beautiful waves of bliss undulate across each track - layers of delicate synthesisers and electro-acoustic textures so carefully constructed.
Using a range of carefully chosen sound sources, from electric bass to a vintage 303, cutting-edge digital synths, granular devices and pedals - he draws out magical soundscapes full of intuition and emotion.
As he says:
“most of these compositions are live improvisations using a single instrument source, performed and captured in one take incorporating sound on sound looping techniques
they have been recorded in different locations, including remote areas of the Los Padres National Forest in California (as you can hear in some of the field recordings)”
You can hear all the years of experience flooding out of the music, the patience and confidence in allowing things to bloom in their own time creates a feeling of euphoria mixed with pure serenity.
There’s a constant flow of meditative calm as the album drifts ever forward, this is music for contemplation and reflection - realised in the most gorgeous way by a master of his craft.
It’s evident from the music this is beautifully conceived, as it is from James’ words:
I find my center in the creation of improved musical motifs
exploring different themes, guiding them and shaping them
listening to them in wonder as they slowly morph, evolve
and form into something that is enigmatic
something that speaks into music, the words that can be elusive
this album would not have been possible without the love and support of one amazing woman, my wife cynthia
A breath-taking album of peaceful beauty, so pleased to share it with you.
Huge thanks to James for everything, a wonderful addition to the series.
The artwork was made as always influenced by the music and idea behind the album - originating from a photo from James which was then captured with analogue photography and processed here at quiet details studios.
As usual, the album is presented on the physical edition, a custom 6-panel digipack with a separate fine art print too.
The CD also has a special long-form continuous mix of the album, representing the music in its purest form.
jamesbernard.bandcamp.com
credits
Our thanks to Alex for providing us with a copy of this release.
released July 31, 2024
copyright © quiet details 2024
all rights reserved
copyright © quiet details 2024
all rights reserved
license
all rights reserved
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