Important Rec. V.A. : The Garden Of Forking Paths (NL-US/UK/JAP,rec.2006-2007,pub.2008)****°
It’s nice to see how James Blackshaw is appreciated, when asked to compile this album of artists with unusual approaches to picking instruments (guitars etc.), of whose tracks fit together in their approach, even though they use different instruments. For the picking instruments, being aware of Cage-like prepared sound tone systems or a chosen series of harmonies, they compose melodies with it, different in approach to minimalism, but still with a certain minimalist picking evolution. Chieko Mori’s track sounds like picking on a prepared instrument (with a few tones close to harp, a koto ?) with its minimal odd harmony note restrictions which is still inhabiting a structure including a melodic evolution. James Blackshaw’s guitar sounds like a 4-hand moody mechanical ticking clock picking. Next comes Helena Espvall with a rather contemporary sounding cello improvisation, recorded a bit in a distance with harmonies of a bigger room echoing, giving a weirder effect to the improvisation, as if the cello comes alive like transforming into a half animal/half organic entity (for almost 8 minutes). Jozef van Wissem’s track is a well fitting good choice, a strangely moving rather minimalist approach on lute (of over 13 minutes). (It is his most interesting composition to date). After his own theme of a minimalist series of tones, a more melodic improvisation follows after. After some minutes, a third part goes to a calmer new series of picked harmonies. Last track by Chieko Mori is more clearly on a koto, and reveals a more eastern sounding improvised tune.
A great compilation, which is enjoyable with uplifting ideas to a different level from start to finish. Highly recommended to those who haven't heard most of these artists yet, also because, perhaps except for Blackshaw himself, they really show the best of their talent. Note : the compositions were recorded specially for this collection.
Helena Espvall here ; James Blackshaw here and here (duo with Van Wissem), or Jozef van Wissem here
