Traditional Noh correspondences for their 5 part cycle of plays.
Kazuyuki Kishino: electronics & electro-percussion produced January 2004.
Chris Watson: location sounds recorded in East Africa.
Z'ev: 25 binary-acoustic files produced January 2004.
Edits, assembling and mixes produced 20-24 March 2004.
Chris Watson sources:
1: dawn in acacia woodland. Rapid light and temperature changes.
2: vultures down on an animal carcass in the short grass plains. The intense activity of a feeding battle resolving into the song of a single sooty chat - the fire of midday.
3: elephant herd led by a powerful matriarch, grazing on the edge of a marsh… Gazelles and zebra swish through the long grass… Contact rumbles from the herd females.
4: the on-coming storm; wind rush and the deep smell of change. Low infrasonic thrum. Disorientation and confusion.
5: the amphibian chorus, enveloping yet impossible to locate. Rhythmic dusk and rapid darkness.
thecoloroflight, Dec 16, 2007
This is an incredible album. It successfully melds together electronic and natural sounds, analogue and digital. Elements of traditional composition are approached and understood. The sound dynamics and production are impeccable, and a studied attention is given to the REAL, natural sounds recorded (thus showing them respect), whilst weaving throughout those recordings thick layers of electronic sound and often thrillingly abrasive noise.
My only problem with this record is that--from what I can tell--a portion of Watson's contribution is taken directly from his record "Weather Report". Thus if you are familiar with that record, you might not be as taken by "Number One". It is worth it, however, to purchase this record for z'ev and Null's contributions (and Watson's). One can only hope that field recordings are again married so successfully with contemporary and avant-garde sound and noise artists. (ie, "Number Two" ?)
4.4/5 (