What: “Sunset Boulevard” by Studio Noir
Netlabel: Nulogic Netlabel
This January, 2014 release is a really interesting concept that succeeds in its execution with very cool musical results. Studio Noir (New York City musician Eddie Palmer) presents a musical vision of Hollywood behind the façade.
Even that cover helps present the concept – some old-time visions of LA mixed with the famous (but here, decaying and shaken) Hollywood sign. Eddie uses samples from 1920’s era jazz tunes (with scratchy record static and all), creates loops and adds some electronic touches to create a melancholy group of tracks named after early 20th century actresses who met with pretty sad ends.
Each of the 16 tracks (mostly running about 2 minutes) simply carries the name of one female star of yesteryear. It’s difficult to separate the concept from the music, but overall it creates a somewhat somber mood even without the back story. If you want the full sadness effect, look up the stories of these women as you listen…but you may want to keep some tissues nearby.
Nulogic Netlabel is based in London and you can conveniently read each page of their site in English or Spanish with the click of a flag. They say they are “open to all projects. Innovation, risk, amusement and passion. A meeting point for creators and tasters of sonorous textures.” It looks like they took a bit of a break in 2012, but have had a fairly regular release schedule since. Keep ’em coming, Nulogic.