Spielerei & Mantacoup Wichman and Other Pieces Play: Lo-Fi   Mid-Fi   Hi-Fi   Download: Lo-Fi   Mid-Fi   Hi-Fi (Excerpt from track 'Running Out of Eiszeit')

Readers of the SMD mag will know how much I have rated the databloem label. Since it started a couple of years ago it has been the home of some of the best modern ambient music around. And of all their releases this is my favourite; the bulk of it being taken up by a seven-part piece called 'The Wichman Concert', recorded at one of the series of Alfa Centauri Electronic Music festivals in Holland. To me though the album could hardly be described as ambient in that there is way too much going on. There is very little drift here, things are constantly changing and the sounds created are some of the best I have heard all year.

Thick cosmic drones float from the speakers as a lovely rhythm starts to form low in the mix. It emerges through the pads creating a very pleasant head-nodding groove. There are then some unintelligible vocoded effects used very subtly to give that slight touch of mystery. Gradually another rhythmic line is added, fitting in with the first perfectly, gently pulsating rather than blasting forth. All beats subside as we finish part one and gently float into part two. Things are now rather dark and dense but with metallic shimmering touches giving just the right amount of detail. Before we move into the third part we get some very deep sampled text from which I could only work out a little of what was being said but I am sure it was all rather meaningful. A new infectious but again restrained rhythm starts up providing a structure around which quite a complex collage of sounds weave. It's fascinating stuff, my mind being pulled this way and then that. It took a few listens to take it all in.

The fourth part has a cyclical feel to it with a very deep rhythmic loop providing the centrepiece. It would have been ideal as part of a shamanic ritual. The beats mutate wonderfully keeping the interest throughout. A wonderful bass line is then added and we reach one of the best moments on the album so far. The depth of the vibrations coming from the speakers is simply awesome. The mood completely changes in the fifth part as more excellent rhythms, bass lines and cosmic shimmers merge and diverge. Part six is initially rather abstract consisting of strange tinkling loops, almost like computer chatter. Things gradually become more cosmic as we progress with almost angelic sounding pads replacing the bleeps as the dominant feature. The last part of the gig picks up the pace again with the introduction of a rapid sequence / loop. This increases in intensity and becomes more complex but also more melodic. All sorts of wonderful sounds can be heard underneath then quite a heavy bass rhythm is tossed in to increase the excitement. In no way would I think of this as an ambient track- just a blistering conclusion to a fantastic concert.

The remaining four tracks are studio numbers. 'Followind' begins with reverberating metallic shimmers out of which a three note pulsing loop emerges. Echo is added making each cycle merge into the next before they eventually fade away to rather windy pads. A lead line meanders over the top though there are also loads of other intriguing sonic details here and there. Over the last minute another melodic loop comes in but like a butterfly its life is short as we come to a finish. 'Sfunato' initially features string pads and a deep drone. It's all rather relaxing, beautiful even. Other playful sounds abound, providing added detail but without shattering the tranquillity. The effect they have is like being on the edge of a dream during a very warm restless night. A sleepy melody starts up in the third minute like some pleasant thought working its way into the semi consciousness. By the fifth minute however a more forceful loop makes an entrance. Its appearance is fleeting but as it fades away so does much of the earlier soundstage and the track is stripped down to basic pads. From this canvas a rhythm emerges to which I find my feet gently tapping. My head also started to move to a subtle lead line which bounces over the top. The mood darkens a little with 'Dens'. A deep, ominous, undulating drone provides the base for various lead lines (all featuring interesting sounds) and the very occasional vocal sample. An intriguing track indeed.