Smalltown Supersound Norway レコード& CD

Review: Berlin-based producer and DJ Barker has long been an underground innovator associated with plenty of vital labels but he hasn't dropped a new solo EP for a couple of years now. Thankfully he rights that wrong and and steps up to the 30 year strong Smalltown Supersound out of Oslo with a new four track offering that "sees him inverting the musical equation and exploring both the variability and sonic possibilities of a kick-drum." Opener 'Birmingham Screwdriver' will rewire your brain with its fizzing frequencies and skewed bass, 'Wick and Wax' is bright and hyperactive techno-pop and the flipside gets much more raw and dark. A fine return.

Review: Marking his fourth album for Smalltown Supersound, Norwegian avant-sax player Bendik Giske is reaching a certain ubiquitous position in his career on the back of sheer talent alone. His minimalist, one-instrument approach is forged in his virtuoso playing, where circular breathing techniques form the basis for cyclical patterns with an alarmingly precise meter. Due to the nature of his art, Giske often refers to his music as being highly physical, and the cover of this self-titled LP confirms that. This time around, Giske has been produced by stellar producer Beatrice Dillon, who pushed him to strip back his sound to a raw essence, all sax key clicks and sharp intakes of breath. The results are endlessly captivating.

Review: Everyone Else Is A Stranger by Lindstrom is the Scandi-don's first new solo studio album in four years. It his his sixth overall and thought it only has four tracks, it plays out over more than 40 minutes. Each of the cuts is classic Lindstrom but with subtle new tweaks and additions. They are chord-stacked disco epics that take you on a freeform cosmic voyage to the stars on uptempo rhythms aimed at the dance floor. He plays a Chinese cello and violin for the first time along the way, but the Solina String-Ensemble he has used on every track since his debut still remains. All hail the king of space disco once more.

Review: Not long after her Only Love From Now On album last year, Carmen Villain is back with another sublime score. This one was done for a contemporary dance performance by acclaimed Choreographer Eszter Salamon. First off, just take a moment to admire the costumes in the artwork. Impressive, right? Well, the music is at least as good. It's drone and ambient that's often empty but never lacking. The details are deft and occasional dub undercurrents are barely there as tracks move at glacial speed and luxurious harmonies glow brightly. It's a masterclass in slowness and subtlety that can utterly disorientate you and disconnect you from space and time.