www.incursion.org
Reviewed by: Richard di Santo

Two new releases from Bremsstrahlung Recordings, the imprint label of lowercase sound, are actually four new EPs, since four CDs are packaged into these two rather nice-looking metal containers, and each CD runs about 20 minutes in length.

The first, by field recording artist and composer Toshiya Tsunoda, is concerned with spaces, distances, landscapes. "Recorded Landscape: Pier" is not a straightforward field recording by any means; its upfront, intensely deep bass tones seem to imply that anything higher than 100 Hz had been filtered out of the recordings, yet these impressions change as the piece develops. Book-ending the release are two shorter, concise tracks, "Fragments for stereophony," for sine tones and cyphered crackles, which are more active, densely layered structures. A nice work all around.

It's been a while since I've heard from Civyiu Kkliu (not since the release of 111 on Bake Records a couple of years back, an impossibly hushed, minimal "utility" that you play in your house like you turn on a lightbulb, or set the temperature for your heaters). Minimalism is still the order of the day (this is lowercase audio, after all), and this piece compliments his other work quite nicely. A simple, seemingly unchanging drone appears (low-to-mid tones), sustains itself for the duration of the piece, then disappears. What more can be said? As a utility or as a piece of music, it tickles the ears and makes you doubt that what you are listening to is in fact unchanging, and it's quite soothing to listen to, as well.

In the second set, Radu Malfatti might not best be known as one particularly associated with lowercase sound (touring through an experimental improv circuit, collaborating with the likes of Burkhard Stangl, Franz Hautzinger, Thomas Lehn and Phil Durrant). Here he presents a single, compelling piece for three trombones. Silence figures prominently here, dividing the sound events, which are richly textured yet are sustained without much variation, into distinct sections. Demanding, well-structured, and even more rewarding for the careful listener.

Lastly, Ilya Monosov's aptly titled "Music for Listening" is a trio of pieces for computer and trumpet. Silences expand and engulf your attention, only to shake you out again with each surprising event, a bleep, a gentle whistle, an unspeakable sound. It's a challenging set, and certainly one which prompts you to sit up and listen closely, even at the silence, which present here is in great abundance.