(06.26.06) On Records proudly present their new compilation CD, a mix of new and classic material (much like their recent solo album by Autophonic) from a variety of well known and exclusive IDM artists.
There is some stunning material present on Tured in Been, not least the absolutely flooring opening track, “New Arizona” by Secede. Secede’s name on anything is a guarantee of quality and “New Arizona” is no exception; beginning with the sounds of tribal drums, background crickets, rhythms assembled from the noise of trains over old tracks and repeatedly exhalations (for some reason), “New Arizona” rattles along at a heated pace and is soon joined by ethnic chanted vocal samples and blissfully intense, tumbling synth arpeggios. Secede’s up-tempo pieces are always rich and atmospheric and “New Arizona” is just as uplifting as the material on his recent Tryshasla album for Sending Orbs. A perfect first impression.
Tured in Been soon reveals itself as a combination of both extreme (almost avant-garde) and traditional IDM styles. In many ways this compilation is decidedly old-school and there are representatives from all corners of what were the innovative IDM styles when the genre first came to prominence. Eog’s “Day Cymatr” (taken from On Records’ debut compilation album) resembles post Incunabula Autechre in more ways than one, collecting dry, fizzy, chopped up buzzes and crackles together in complex but texturally minimal and stripped down arrangements. Eedl commits the track “Spectrum” to the melting pot, a piece strongly reminiscent of Esem or Ochre at their peak: lovely analogue sounds blended with hazy strings and some inventive, popping percussive elements form highly engaging and pleasant melodies. L’usine provides a three part exercise in IDM stylistics: echoing, Arovane-styled clutter segues into a quiet movement of reverb-fuelled synth keys followed by a full on, jazz enhanced combination of all the previous elements.
Herrmutt Lobby and Rawarki both supply tracks that occupy the avant-garde end of the IDM spectrum, sonic collages of metallic clanging, computer malfunctions and mechanical exotica, the former (“The New Paradigm”) a sonic mad-professor of electronic burbling and dangerous chemical percussion, the latter (“Call it what you want”) a heavily cut-up, gargling infusion of hip-hop beats. Aver Boodi’s “Trasp” provides a dark and eerie sci-fi treatment, while Kadah/Vresky supplies a small slice of 8-bit whimsy with “NarcissusTerebantine.” There are typically stylish and stylised contributions from Kettel (My Dogan style acid FX and all), Funckarma (a particularly queasy and heavily eroded addition to their catalogue) and Adam Johnson. There is also a very strong and slightly ominous entry from Loden, a blend of chitinous percussive debris and retro, 80’s era BBC Radiophonic Workshop styled squishy synthesizers that vividly recall later episodes of Doctor Who. This piece really embodies that sense of nostalgia that so heavily permeates the best material from Boards of Canada.
Tured in Been is a lively, varied and highly entertaining compilation providing introductions and teasers that will undoubtedly see you searching for more of the work by its individual contributors. Highly recommended listening.
Tured In Been is out now on On Records.
