(09.13.06) Type’s latest offering is a re-release of a limited edition CD-R EP that originally appeared on the Finnish Lattajjaa label. Night of the Ankou is the fruit of the collaboration between Digitalis Industries co-founder Brad Rose and the UK ambient trio Rameses III, and the version presented here is re-packaged (the initial 1000 units are housed in one of Type’s typically gorgeous digipaks), re-mastered and expanded with a new remix by Type owner John Twells.
Like many Type releases, the absence of any text other than the artist name and album title on the spine of the packaging bequeaths this album an air of mystery, possibly wise considering Night of the Ankou contains a mere three tracks. The first two pieces each have a running time of between seventeen and nineteen minutes, whilst the Xela’s remix clocks in at just over eight. This may bring the running time up a little but this should still perhaps have been classified as an EP rather than an LP. It is, of course, the quality of the music that is important and happily this is another sublime release from Type.
“Death of the Ankou” begins as a funereal dirge of sorts, scraped and sawing string instrumentation wavers and groans across wowing drones, though these writhing and twisted tones soon give way to a calmer, more serene sound palette as abstract choir song, jangling wind-chimes and soft washes take the fore. It’s a challenging listen, but its evolution over time is particularly engaging. The Xela remix, “Return of the Ankou” is a far more surreal experience, the guitar effects edgy, sharp and disjointed, the percussion clattering and rustling and the overall tone leaning far more towards the eastern.
“Night Blossoms Written in Sanskrit,” on the other hand, is far more tonally accessible and something of a contrast to the mournful first piece. Drones, pads and washes abound once again, but this time they are bathed in a warm glow, possessed of a more comforting familiarity and accompanied in the opening minutes by amiable, jangling background guitar strumming. The dazzling amber pads flare and fade in rippling waves, more electronic choirs intone softly and breathily, whilst exquisite and dreamlike twinkling miniature bells glitter in the fading light of the tracks closure. “Night Blossoms Written in Sanskrit” is a transcendental experience, one that seems to halt time and, like Brian Eno’s epic “Thursday Afternoon,” an experience that is over all too soon.
While it may be something of a curiosity piece, Night of the Ankou is worth the price of entry for the exquisite “Night Blossoms Written in Sanskrit” alone. Immersive, expansive and evocative, the dreamscapes of The North Sea and Rameses III come highly recommended to ambient lovers everywhere.
Night of the Ankou is out now on Type. Buy it at Amazon.com.
