What: “Aberration in Pitched Systems” by Daniel Barbiero + Chris Videll
Netlabel: Treetrunk Records
On very rare occasions when you are fishing something unexpected can jump right up into your boat; that is sort of what happened with this release for me…except really what happened is that I just found it in my email! No matter, it’s definitely a keeper.
The “it” in this case is “Aberration in Pitched Systems” by Daniel Barbiero and Chris Videll. It was released in early November, 2012 on the Treetrunk Records netlabel. The Treetrunk website says it is based in “MidWestern USA;” which is a lovely place if you ever get the chance to visit. There are four pieces of music here; Daniel plays double bass (sometimes more acoustic sounding, but usually more electronically processed), while Chris plays drone lab, shruti box and effects pedals.
The performers describe this music as “electroacoustic improvisations for double bass and electronics/sound generators. Constructed around pre-determined harmonic constants and variables, the pieces embody the shifting opposition and reconciliation of sister drones and modes.” Generally what I would say you will hear is a very interesting combination of mostly bowed bass improvisation plus drones and electronic effects. The first and longest song, “Etheric Voice Double,” sets the tone for all the music. The piece unfolds slowly and beautifully, allowing the sounds room to breathe and develop. Although the bass is evident, it is highly processed so electronic sounds and drones dominate this piece. “Identity in Variation” is up next; this is spacious and very much a variation on the theme/mood set in first piece.
While is certainly fits musically, the title track is a bit of an outlier in that a generally cleaner bass sound takes the lead, subtly colored throughout by echo and electronics. “Kordylewski Clouds at L5”is the last track; it is closer to the style of the first two pieces, but more unsettled and slightly more abrasive at times. The electronic sounds are definitely more forceful here. Maybe this piece represents what you might hear in a Kordylewski cloud? I not only enjoyed the music, I was “forced” to learn something too; Krodylewski clouds are clouds of dust that may exist in space as part of the Earth-Moon system. End of science lecture – and this won’t be on the quiz.
Bottom line: This is sublime and challenging playing, but is not so obscure or unstructured that it would be of limited interest. Anyone who enjoys some nice double bass and/or electronic music will find much to like. It takes its time unfolding, so tune in and let it flow.