Saudi vinyl

Krikor Kouchian's "Saudi" first appeared as a cassette on Low Jack's Editions Gravats label a few years back. Interestingly, the music had initially been composed to soundtrack a French documentary film focusing on the West's appeasement of Saudi Arabia dubious foreign policy. We should applaud the documentary makers for their foresight in casting Kouchian in this role, as "Saudi" - here presented on vinyl for the first time by L.I.E.S - is deliciously creepy, exotic and foreboding. While the melodies employed throughout the soundtrack tend towards the dark and clandestine, there's enough futurist intent and far-sighted electronic sounds to suggest the smallest slither of hope. It's interesting rhythmically, too, employing rubbery and off-kilter machine beats without becoming overbearingly intense.

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