June 22nd 2009 Releases

NAT BIRCHALL
Akhenaten
Gondwana CD
(GONDCD 002)

''Listened to attentively...Akhenaten is a beautifully stately performance, all in medium-to-slow tempos, from the gentle 3/4 of of 'Nica's Dance' to the closing 'Many Blessings'. Matthew Halsall adds trumpet on the title track, which may allude to the ancient 'Hymn To The Sun' or its modern descendant, 'Psalm 104' - a beautiful piece whatever the provenance'' - Brian Morton / The Wire

'Akhenaten, meaning effective spirit of Aten, was a Pharaoh of the Eighteenth dynasty of Egypt who attempted to compel the Egyptian population in the monotheistic worship of Aten, the disk of the sun in ancient Egyptian mythology. Over the four compositions that make up 'Akhenaten', Birchall's mastery of the saxophone flows throughout. The familiar jazz line up of double bass, piano and drums perfectly complement his lead, and combined they exude irresistible brilliance and a knowledge of the music's roots. 'Akhenaten' is a spiritual journey that draws from aspects of the work of John and Alice Coltrane - his playing throughout evokes the reverent hush of Sanders' 'Let Us Go Into The House Of The Lord', but all channeled through Nat's absolute focus - the expression is natural, the performances effortless.'

KRENG
L’Autopsie Phénoménale De Dieu
Miasmah CD
(MIACD 010)

'On initial listening 'L'Autopsie Phenomenale De Dieu', immediately presents itself as a fully realised body of work, with focus, flow and continuity. It may therefore come as a surprise to discover that the album mainly comprises recordings created for a variety of separate theatre productions, and even more of a surprise to learn that the compositions found here are sample based constructions. The pieces incorporate sounds and material from a variety of sources; free-jazz, new electronic generated sounds, classical modernism and vintage geographical recordings. The subtleties of the techniques Kreng has employed in the creation of theses pieces is simply stunning. '

ES
Kesämaan Lapset
Fonal CD/LP
(FR-64/64LP)

"[Sänpäkkilä's] knitting together of the sacred and the homespun, the majestic and the naive, yielding a distinctive take on memory tripping." - Nick Richardson / The Wire

'Sami Sänpäkkilä's fifth release under the Es moniker pays homage to one of his favourite albums, Pekka Streng's 'Kesämaa' (Summerland). 'Kesämaan lapset' (meaning 'The Children Of The Summerland') is something of a 'childhood photo album' for Sami, filled with summery, warm memories of home. Recorded over a three year period both abroad and at home in Finland, these spectral-pop soundscapes, created employing a variety of analogue synthesizers and flea-market toy casios, are brimming with warm, gentle tones, and slowly shifting textures. A variety of additional instrumentation adds even more colour to the pieces, which are part instrumental and part song. 'Kesämaan lapset' sees something of a shift from the previous Es album 'Sateenkaarisuudelma'; a little more understated, and perhaps a little lighter – an astonishing work of cosmic pop.'

KIILA
Tuota Tuota
Fonal CD/LP
(FR-65/65LP)

"Tuota tuota is a delight, a fresh collection of uplifting neo-psychedelic romps invested with a decidedly romantic edge... [...] Kiila's latest is another feather in Fonal's already impressively plumed cap." - Joseph Stannard / The Wire

'Tuota Tuota' is the third full-length album by Kiila, whose eight strong core line up deliver a killer collection of psych-folk delights; beautifully refined arrangements and memorable songs develop into full blown cosmic freak outs, surely making 'Tuota Tuota' an instant hit for fans of artists such as Espers and Akron/Family. A combination of gentle campfire folk and explosive, fuzzed-out jams, bring the songs to a whole new level in contemporary psychedelia. There's enough here to satisfy the Fairport and Sun Ra audiences alike. Quite spectacular.'