Fluorescent Grey - Ambiente

2nd review, done by Ant of Norman Records

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We are very fortunate to be able to bring you this Norman Records exclusive. A co-release between the Record Label Records imprint and Cataclyst. A hand numbered edition of 100 copies comprising of a staggering fifty three tracks and a running time of just under four hours.

Fluorescent Grey A.K.A California resident Robbie Martin has been releasing his distinctive brand of electronic music since 1996 when he self released a cassette limited edition of one single copy entitled 'Please Do Not Buy This Recording'. From the offset he's never played the game or followed the rules. This consistently unconventional approach has made him a truly idiosyncratic player yet somehow he seems to hover just below the radar when it comes to getting props. If there's any justice in this world this could all be about to change.

'Ambiente' is a three CD set expertly mastered by Thomas Dimuzio and housed in a custom wooden box. Each disc comes in a hand stamped heavy card slip-case adorned with graphics (Kelly Porter and Sam Buchanan) that correspond to the psychedelic art on the discs and contains 35 art cards featuring photography, painting, collages, and cgi by Fluorescent Grey, Abby Martin, and David Mulqueen. On first glimpse the cards are great eye candy but when viewed accompanied by the audio they serve as another piece of the puzzle and bring you a step closer to Fluorescent Grey's vision. Featuring collaborations with Djynnx of Nommo Ogo, Dimentia, and also RLR crew; Thomas Dimuzio, Scuzi, Mike Dunkley, Brian English and Black Fuhrer. Don't be mislead by the title into thinking this is merely a collection of modern ambient tracks. That couldn't be further from the truth. This music has little in common with contemporary "ambient" music, rather it has an affinity with the schools of classic electronic music; Pierre Schaeffer, Tod Dockstader, Luc Ferrari, Morton Subotnick, Karlheinz Stockhausen, Pauline Oliveros etc. albeit working with more advanced technology.

Disc one was composed between 2005-2008 and is sprinkled with the reside of Fluorescent Grey's complex post-IDM creations. However here the mangled beats are traded for advanced synthesis and trademark cutting edge sound design techniques which on 'Smearing Tones' to my ears depict scenes where circuits drip with slime; semi organic/ semi-synthetic beings communicating through an alien language. After it's almost ten minute duration I came round fearing I'd got the ole anal probe. When the track merges into the superbly dark 'Splatterbient' it's possible to detect hints of an Autechre influence. However, throughout the disc it's apparent that Robbie is really carving out his own path, save the odd wink to some influences on this particular disc .Up next is 'Bird's Nest' which is a recording of nesting chicks captured with fidelity and clarity Chris Watson would be proud of. The title track has me envisioning red skies underneath which an alien race congregate around a monolith while conducting a sacred ritual. 'Grand Piano Windchime Machine' is a breathtaking electro-acoustic composition with rapidly fluttering layered keys coming across like a cyborg Cecil Taylor on amphetamines. The piece has an almost elegiac quality where I imagine the soul of a departed human leaving it's body and making it's transition to the stars at hyper-speed. 'Sorcerer's' features DJynxx and is a delicious post kosmische sci-fi trip that leads into the bubbling liquid sonics of 'Ice Berg Marimba'.

Following that vivid tour of the solar system the second disc (created between 2009-2001) 'Uncanny Valley' is a journey inwards, a journey of the mind. One where nothing is quite as it seems. A journey where sound alone can create altered states. Here Robbie employs technology that emulates acoustic sound simulations resulting in hallucinatory almost tangible sounds that demand respectable volume. The lines between the organic and synthetic are scrunched up, smudged and blurred beyond recognition. Initially things are a little disorientating but once tuned in it's a real trip. 'Raspberry Armonica' is particularly beautiful, the image I'm given is one of delicate robotic butterflies gently fluttering through a cosmic breeze. 'Dragger Zamak' is equally as majestic sounding like a malfunctioning music box smothered in and being controlled by ectoplasm. The tracks on 'Uncanny Valley' recall the spirit and adventurous experimentation of the Inga GRM studios emissions. sounding like they've been remixed and beamed in from the mixing desk of some alien craft light years away. Thinking of the underlying creative process becomes unfathomable. Twenty Four tracks in all with a phenomenal amount to absorb it will stand the test of time and constantly reward over repeated listens.

'Ritual At The Super Volcano' consists of the most recent material which is from 2012. It opens with a hilarious answer machine conversation recording before mutating into a plethora of processed field recordings of animals and the bubbling of Yellowstone Park's super volcano. This is perhaps the darkest, gloomiest disc of the three with the cavernous black drones and avant metal of 'Virtual Black Mass' leading into the longing, melancholy of Eirual followed by the future chaos of 'Static Pipes'. Then there's the low frequency oscillations and interference of Greydropped that builds to a thrilling conclusion. The deranged malfunctioning acid of 'Farewell Arp2600 and two outstanding untitled tracks which are personal highlights. Finally we reach an ultra dramatic conclusion which is a startling recording of a protest that recalls Tony Conrad's recording of a Vietnam protest outside his window. As well as the political connotations it illustrates and harnesses the true power of sound. Close your eyes and you could be right there in what is both an exciting and terrifying situation.

Each disc in the set work as vibrant stand alone albums but when taken in together they form a complete picture. With so many ideas and so much audio it could have got messy but it's clear that things have been meticulously refined with strong attention to detail running through everything from the packaging, titles and sequencing of the tracks. The product of seven years work, commitment, knowledge, skill, imagination, vision and passion. Ambiente is a remarkable achievement and demonstrates Robbie's dedication to, and true love of electronic music. 'Ambiente' challenges our perception of sound and is a fictional glimpse of the sonic possibilities of distant worlds, their landscapes, and inhabitants as well as an astute study of the sonics and lifeforms of our own planet from a squawking chick to a girl talking about throwing up. Highly recommended for true electronic music connoisseurs.

Still going to buy the heck out of this as soon as I get a regular paycheck again.

  On 1/25/2013 at 4:56 AM, baph said:

Still going to buy the heck out of this as soon as I get a regular paycheck again.

An investment you won't regret, believe me. I must say each disc is strong in the own terms of the music which is fantastic. Normally you have significant changes in quality collecting pieces from various years together but you wouldn't not notice that fact without a note to the booklet ;)

I as well will be ordering a copy soonish, just been too tight on cash lately.

the sooner the better since there are only about 10 left at this point, just sold out of the last painting special editions

  On 1/26/2013 at 1:09 AM, Awepittance said:

the sooner the better since there are only about 10 left at this point, just sold out of the last painting special editions

Congrats- the boxset for the painted ones looks gorgeous as well. I am very happy with my box- it has a special display place now for everyone entering the record area…

i will chime in with a more detailed "review" at some point but just wanted to keep the thread going by pointing out that i finally listened to all three cds the whole way through and they are all incredible.

  On 1/26/2013 at 8:01 PM, Alcofribas said:

i will chime in with a more detailed "review" at some point but just wanted to keep the thread going by pointing out that i finally listened to all three cds the whole way through and they are all incredible.

seconded. This box will pop up in my records of 2013-list as well.

  On 1/23/2013 at 12:21 AM, Awepittance said:

now directly shipping from the UK via norman records

 

check the front page on the middle left http://www.normanrecords.com/

Not only that - It's now listed as their Album Of The Week !

Hats off to you man, great job

oh nice! apparently they have already sold out of them, once i ship them this last order i'll have none left. In a way it's sort of sad since i want a lot of people to hear this, but limited editions like this are just more logistically and financially doable in a world of disposable music culture.

these are almost gone guys, my guess is I'll be wiped out by this friday. thanks for everybody from here who ordered and supported this release!

Nice one! I still haven't had a chance to listen yet, unfortunatelybig burst of inspration for my own stuff + rehearsal for an upcoming gig doesn't leave much time for listening to other music. Hopefully I can get to it in the next couple of days.

I've been listening to this a lot recently and still feel like I've only scratched the surface. I'm supremely grateful that such creative and, well, mind-expanding records come about here and there- they're getting rarer and rarer (and therefore more precious).

Current favorite is glow worm hailing

thanks Joseph, i hope you don't mind but i quotes you about the 'an extended sound design orgasm' in the promotion one sheet i sent out, lol

lol, yeah thats fine

I've only just gotten around to playing this. Disc 3 is so good! I really like the integration of field recordings and electronics on some of the tracks. The first half of the disc is especially strong, Are U Pregnant Fly, Virtual Black Mass and Eirual being my favourites. Disc 3 also has the best intro I've heard in a long while. Great stuff! Glad I picked up a copy when I did.

2 tracks from Ambiente were featured in the Zoviet France podcast - A Duck in a Tree

http://www.basic.fm/?p=1157

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:zoviet*france: present A Duck in a Tree, a 60 minute continuous mix of some of the best genre-refusing, zero BPM, hypnotropic and maximinimalist recordings that have grabbed their attention.

A Duck in a Tree is broadcast on Saturdays at 22:00 GMT, then repeated on Sundays at 14:00 GMT and Tuesdays at 04:00 GMT.

Each week’s programme is archived on Mixcloud after the Tuesday broadcast athttp://www.mixcloud.com/zoviet_franceand can be downloaded as a podcast from Podbean at http://zovietfrance.podbean.com

You can also subscribe to the podcast via iTunes:https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/a-duck-in-a-tree/id549888021

:zoviet*france: can also be found on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/zovietfrance) and SoundCloud (http://soundcloud.com/zoviet-france).

i suppose i should weigh in here...

i was lucky enough to contribute three of the art cards on this release. this thing is a trip. it makes me wish i took psychedelics these days, because i feel like i'm on drugs when i'm not. recommended for people who like to explore the edge between music and sound, and autechre fans.

  On 2/12/2013 at 1:26 AM, Awepittance said:

2 tracks from Ambiente were featured in the Zoviet France podcast - A Duck in a Tree

http://www.basic.fm/?p=1157

 

 

  Quote

:zoviet*france: present A Duck in a Tree, a 60 minute continuous mix of some of the best genre-refusing, zero BPM, hypnotropic and maximinimalist recordings that have grabbed their attention.

A Duck in a Tree is broadcast on Saturdays at 22:00 GMT, then repeated on Sundays at 14:00 GMT and Tuesdays at 04:00 GMT.

Each week’s programme is archived on Mixcloud after the Tuesday broadcast athttp://www.mixcloud.com/zoviet_franceand can be downloaded as a podcast from Podbean at http://zovietfrance.podbean.com

You can also subscribe to the podcast via iTunes:https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/a-duck-in-a-tree/id549888021

:zoviet*france: can also be found on Facebook ([/size]https://www.facebook.com/zovietfrance) and SoundCloud ([/size]http://soundcloud.com/zoviet-france).[/size]

fucking awesome Robbie.

Any of these left at RLR?

yes only about 15 left of the normal editions, all the painting ones (limited to 10) have been sold. For any non US customers order from Norman instead of direct from me

Oh some of these are left? Great! I am USA and cash incoming. By order direct from you you mean… via the watmm? I will do so ASAP

Excellent, will order first thing tomorrow am

here

Ordered! Pretty excited to hear this finally.