America Inc (Roedelius) Amerika Recycled Play: Lo-Fi   Mid-Fi   Hi-Fi   Download: Lo-Fi   Mid-Fi   Hi-Fi (Excerpt from track 'Amerika Recycled')

Well here we have it - another recording from what surely must be the undisputed grandfather of EM, Hans Joachim Roedelius now at 70 years of age. Here he is doing his annual pilgrimage to the USA performing experimental Kluster orientated textural and ambient work.

This new album, recorded with four additional musicians under the name of America Incorporated, comprises of one track, close to 50 minutes that is about as abstract as anything you're likely to hear from this guy! Try to imagine the classical experimental works of Karlheinz Stockhausen or Ginastera, although not so intense and you can't go far wrong. That's not to say it's a bad album, as it does have occasional lighter moments and to be honest it is similar to the non-rhythmic elements of the recent Dante inspired works of Vidna Obmana or Mundus Subterraneus era Lightwave.

The track begins unexpectedly with a blast of sampled classical, brass orientated music, which abruptly ends after the first minute and it is here that we embark on the more familiar journey we associate with Roedelius' experimental music. Starting with an intermittent bass sound along with choral textures and soundscapes the music remains quiet and menacing adding occasional piano and textures as it runs its course. Abstract guitar textures are then added to the mix and it is here that one can feel the Stockhausen influences.

The piece moves through a variety of dark and light drones and effects together with further abstract piano and orchestral leanings to give the piece more scope. Bass samples are again heard at around 13 minutes and to throw the piece in to even more obscurity the listener is treated to some light hearted piano playing courtesy of Jelly Roll Morton, albeit a sample of course. Although this lightens the load of the piece Roedelius, determined as ever gets the upper hand once again and it is not long before we delve back into those dark menacing soundscapes. A fuzzy bass drone appears along with more choral textures then the piano reappears under the soundscape which is now more dominant.

A rather pleasant and confident piano section takes hold, reminding the listener of the aforementioned dexterous piano moment earlier on, although this is indeed lower in the mix and the menacing sonic atmosphere never allows this section to take hold fully. Orchestral elements appear later on, bringing back the thoughts of the track's overture but clearly avoiding the cliché of 'finish as you start' as new water based effects and panned piano de-stabilise the situation again. In honesty this really sums up the rest of the album as for here on in it moves through dark bass drones and orchestral orientated sections with occasional choral segments to its finale.