Bremsstrahlung Recordings

Bremssstrahlung Recordings is back in shape! These compilation specialists are back to present new works by emerging sound artists that are certainly at the edge of the canvas when it comes to obtuse minimalism. For this outing we have a limited to only 250 count 2-disc set - each by a separate artist. The package design recalls the Chain Reaction tin squares of yore with simple manila index cards inside to describe the work within.

Toshiya Tsunoda :: Fragments for Stereophony
First up we have the three-track work by Japan's Toshiya Tsunoda. There is bare audibility here save for a few crispy statics on Fragments for Stereophony. This reminds me of a visual interpretation of Braille or the voids in a minimal sound piece. It's about distance, time and random continuity. There may be a motor that is contact mic'd or perhaps it's a remix of the wind. The sound is pure and unaltered sounding, with a few filters here and there. But just how does this garden grow without organics? Think hybrid, think ether-filled nuclear greenhouse, test-tube babies, clones and artificial intelligence (not to mention insemination). Track three of this 19-minute disc sparks and crackles to solder the whole lot together. What sounds like a soft bit drill burring wood is probably some high tech barometric power counter or subatomic reading device - but its drone is awkwardly unusual and makes for a curious listen.

Civyiu Kkliu :: 1111111
Disc two is 1111111 by Southern Cal-based Civyiu Kkliu is like pure white noise - almost like a washing machine in action and comes from an ongoing numbered series. This about 20 minute one-tone note drone is like a boats warning on pause, a fan motor (and probably a host of variable aural irritants for some). The sound source is unknown (and if it was on the press release I tossed it - I like to guess ya see). I guess there is a lot about this release that one might call parenthetical or outside the lines. While running for about 21 minutes I stopped the action at about 12, just when there was a shyly subtle drop in volume. I am on a plane, inside the restroom and above the engines, the hum is enormous, the bass is full, the feeling is a bit queasy.