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Jan Bang: Narrative from the Subtropics
ByOn Narrative from the Subtropics he weaves a sequestered accompaniment that draws on a number of sources and influences in order to achieve its kaleidoscopic and otherworldly sounds and moods. Picturesque and evocative by nature, his sonic palette is incredibly broad throughout: it consists entirely of ambient drifts, sculpted fragments and contributions by a plethora of guests like singer David Sylvian, guitarists Eivind Aarset and Stian Westerhus, pianist Tigran Hamasyan, keyboardist Erik Honore and many others. The pieces, which are simultaneously fascinating, compelling and sometimes eerie, vary in length and they deliver plenty of ideas and delicate beauty in their short length and this restraint makes it a more powerful work.
From the opening "Iron Balcony" until the closing "Life Boat" the album progresses in a dreamlike fashion as the invisible narrative transitions between profound and obscure themes and forms. Sometimes these sound creations resemble little islands connected by an invisible thread. Bang carves out these unique ambient creations sometimes by using a surreal use of color, tone and texture that are embroidered within the collage that this record is. More interesting than the sounds themselves are the intelligence and sensitivity of their deployment, the constant attention to weight, color, and direction. Overall, it is simultaneously a very minimal and a very complex piece of writing. And, while it is intricate and sometimes alien, still this adds warmth, resonance and a sense of discovery to his musical chiaroscuro.
With this set Bang has managed to achieve what rarely has been done in this era: to open ears to new sonic possibilities. The intriguing confluences of sounds and moods, and the dramatically orchestrated peaks and valleys, Narrative from the Subtropics penetrates many sonic spaces that were unseen and unheard of until now.
Track Listing
Iron Balcony; Singer's Ashes; Tide; Smashing Windows; The Deep Serene; Singer's Childhood; Funeral Voyage; Interlude (Night Creatures); Melee of Suitcases; Artificial Reeves; Sinking Ship; Flooded Corridors; Lifeboat.
Personnel
Jan Bang
live samplingJan Bang: Akai sampler (1-13), programming (1-7, 9-13), synthesizer (3, 5), mpc (7), dictaphone (7), kaoss pad (10); Nils Chr. Moe Repstad: voice; Eivind Aarset: sampled guitar (2), guitars (3, 5, 7), bass (7); Sidsel Endresen: vocal (3, 9); Lars Danielsson: double bass (3); Undark: organ (3); Erik Honoré: field crickets (3), synthesizer (7); Arve Henriksen: sampled trumpet (4), trumpet (6, 8, 11); Tuule Kann: vocal (6), kannel (6); Tigran Hamasyan: piano (6); Robert Jürjendal: guitars (6); Stian Westerhus: sampled guitar (6), guitar (8); Nils Petter Molvæer: trumpet (7); Dai Fujikura: piano (9), electronics (9), cello samples (12); David Soler: sampled guitar (11).
Album information
Title: Narrative From The Subtropics | Year Released: 2013 | Record Label: Jazzland Recordings