Jus Forrest dives into Corpus Clock (by Mike Dunkley) and Benacah Drann Deachd (by Dalglish) and uncovers beautiful expeditions into complete heartfelt ambience and a journey that unwinds towards some sparse and even foreboding, yet ever changing landscapes. Both releases are available on Record Label Records.
(Mike Dunkley :: Corpus Clock) Mike Dunkley’s debut release Corpus Clock, is a simplistic, yet ornately beautiful expedition into complete heartfelt ambience—meticulously driven by a celebrated passion.
The nuts and bolts of this record interlink to give off a warm embrace—a theme that is prominent throughout, yet despite the more outgoing bouncy patterns, it isn’t afraid to edge towards some guarded moments of intimacy.
Soundtrack themes are of course, strong and “Weapons Free” is no exception. With a steady build up, it’s easy to feel a slight Celtic flavour of carefully cultured activity—the gentle choral slant adding depth of vision. Masked and shaded in places, but showing definite promise for the rest of the album and leading us towards the manipulated voice of the being of another world—”West Woods.” There’s no lack of gentle distortions here, all of which subscribe to some exhilarating imagery—the pictures that are now in a constant cycle of creation.
At this point, Corpus Clock, as a work, could best be described as a colourful ghost that has found freedom. Destined to engage, not so much a haunting presence, but a union with bright and uplifting chimes of atmospheric elements—the free movement of “Everywhere Ghost” initiates yet another perfect release—this time to the vintage synth flow of energy. It’s a bright birth that engraves its theme and continues to grow gloriously. But there’s no need to keep looking backwards; modern twists of fate and suburban born energies are channeled, emerging as voice over sampling. In pure contrast, “Raymarch” retreats towards its own electro strobes, yet still puts out a transcription of punchy beat driven artwork, that has strong abstract markings.
The collection of material showcased here is etched within a bright illustrious background—not of a danceable persuasion, but more of a slow paced collection that enables a certain growth. It’s both an impressive and stylistic debut, with it’s own modernistic vibrancy, trance like beats, and vintage toy-like simplicity.
(Dalglish :: Benacah Drann Deachd) This latest release is an intriguing industrial themed railroad of intricately styled beats—a journey that unwinds towards some sparse and even foreboding, yet ever changing landscapes. It takes a definite experimental upturn, and redefines electro-magnetic energies, all at the same time. A specialist in style, complex in formation and sometimes demanding, it gives way to develop a strong think piece requiring a certain amount of adventurous wanderlust, but take the time, and well, you’re away. It’s a Blair Witch Project take on carefully crafted plot.
On the whole, it etches a brief, yet immensely rich direction, following the compass that is “8.2001,” before entering the dusk that now hangs in waiting. Mapping quickly to the darkening surroundings, the dreamy fusion then starts to emerge in the form of stars. That is to say, that in terms of sound, there’s a definite glint of metallic sheen, ever inviting against a backdrop of deep monologue synth code. “6.2003” leads to a city that lies in wait, absorbing its own toxins throughout the depths of the deep night.
“9.2004” encourages a candid discovery that transcends abstract figures. Prefabricated slabs of concrete are now decorated with splashes of graffiti—a hidden symbolism that something far beneath really seeks to exist—a hidden message or code, wanting to break free with every dramatic wave of static that lashes out as the imagery flashes past. The beats continue to break the confines of a stark disused subway. Power lines now begin to cross and fuse, interlocking to fire up an explosive tapestry in the wake of any calm that may have tried to exist.
But whether it’s a laser gun quest to seek victims from the darkest recesses of humankind or an even more volatile feel still, the surge of electricity and splashes of science fiction cinematic still work to thrust upon the world, a thought provoking take on an intricate and dynamic beat weave that’s injected with overloads of current. And it binds the whole album into one tight fragment for your listening pleasure.
Another thunderbolt from the experimental stable.
Both releases are available on Record Label Records.
