Archive for the Minimal Category

AK Reynolds – Greatest Hits

Posted in Minimal on February 20, 2009 by ajc

Here’s the LP by Ambrose Kelly Reynolds, entitled Greatest Hits. AK Reynolds was a founding member of Pink Industry, the seminal Liverpool minimal electronic wave group from the early 80’s. Their LPs and even a CD reissue command collectors prices these days – this LP (Zulu 3) is arguably more scarce than any of those.

The title of the LP is full of black humor – instead of the ethereal vocals of Jayne Casey, the voices here are tapes of various political assassinations, such as JFK, RFK, MLK, plus recordings of Richard Nixon and the Kent State incident. Very spooky a lot of the time…

Download it here:

AK Reynolds – Greatest Hits

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Art Fleury – The Last Album

Posted in Experimental, Minimal on February 20, 2009 by ajc
Art Fleury was an experimental band from Italy in the late 70’s/early 80’s. Their first album, I luoghi del potere, was a sought-after gem for many years, commanding hefty sums before its recent CD reissue. Conceived as a soundtrack to an imaginary film, the album recalls Faust or Nurse with Wound in places – very moody and atmospheric, broken up by heavy processing, tape noises, and unusual textures. A highly recommended reissue.This LP, their second from 1981, showcases a more song-oriented format while keeping many of the same experimental techniques. Lots of processed instruments, vocals, and tape work make this a great fusion of Italian prog with more coldwave elements. Add to this the stellar production of Etienne Conod and Robert Vogel (who also play on various tracks) from Sunrise Studios, recording home to such artists as Cassiber, Art Bears, Univers Zero, and many more of the genre.

To my ears, it’s sort of like Picchio dal Pozzo meets Gravity-era Fred Frith at the Cabaret Voltaire, if you will. Several reviews around the web denigrate them as devolving to mere new wave, but that certainly didn’t happen prior to this release…

Get it here:

Art Fleury – The Last Album

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John Bender – Bender (fan page CD compilation)

Posted in Minimal on February 20, 2009 by ajc

Ah, the sublime Mr Bender. His LPs are still highly sought by minimal synth collectors worldwide, even as MP3s turn up at places like this (and also this.) Gamelan-esque in places, whispered vocals that occasionally recall Robert Ashley, this music is at once distinctive and seductive.

This CD is a compilation from his three records, a compilation album, and his cassette only releases from the dawn of the 80s. Now scarce as hen’s teeth, I still have catalogs from Wayside Music (founders of Cuneiform Records), which list them for a sub $10 pittance. It’s 2007 – where’s my damn time machine??!

The fan page from which I obtained this CD can be found here. Plenty of info still there, but you can’t get the CD any more. You can, however, download it below.

John Bender – Bender part 1

John Bender – Bender part 2

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DDAA – Bruit Son, Petit Son

Posted in Experimental, Minimal on February 20, 2009 by ajc

Here’s the 3″ mini CD by Deficit Des Annees Anterieures, Bruit Son, Petit Son, on Kill Your Idols from 1991. Track 1 is a Faust cover, and the CD has several little inserts as does the original Faust – So Far LP from which the cover originates.

DDAA has a long and varied discography, and were the kings of the avant compilation during the 1980s. Very French, very strange, and very worthwhile.

This package finds the CD between a couple of wooden slabs held together with a metal nut and bolt (which goes through the middle of the disc). This particular artifact is #208 of a limited edition of 560.

DDAA – Bruit Son, Petit Son

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