Off - Record label

Sunday, 18 March 2012

Stilll SCD016 : Blaine L. Reininger - William Lee Self / The Hamburg Sessions

Stilll SCD016 : Blaine L. Reininger - William Lee Self / The Hamburg Sessions

The Hamburg Sessions

I first met William Lee Self somewhere in the uncharted darkness of the 1980’s in Brussels. I don’t remember the exact circumstances. One day the mists of my perception cleared for a moment and he was just there. I persisted in addressing him in German long after he explained to me that he was an American from Georgia who only lived in Germany and even after he asked me to stop it. Thus began a friendship which has persisted to the present day.
In about 1985 we began the first in a series of musical collaborations when he came onboard the HO model train of my solo career for a series of dates in Northern Europe. A couple years later I was similarly engaged to aid and abet the tours of his band Montana Blue. Much fun was had. Many laughs were laughed.
In the summer of 2009, at Lee’s invitation and with the encouragement of my wife Maria we joined Lee and Birgit in their aviary on Hamburg’s beautiful inner city lake the Alster for the beginning of the sessions which have resulted in this record here in your hands (or hovering before you in a 3d virtual iteration, if that is the way things will go).
For both Mr. Self and my self, this body of work has marked a most fulfilling return to songwriting and recording. We were both pleased to see that the hornED beast which compels us to toil on into the silent night crafting tunes to an end not immediately obvious still dwells within us both, though he has lately taken to wearing tweed jackets and sports a walking stick.
And thus and so, dear reader, we submit to you these, our Hamburg Sessions.
BLR
Athens, Greece 2012

The covert art is designed by Birgit Voss.
William Lee Self website: http://www.william-lee-self.com/
Blaine L. Reininger website: http://www.mundoblaineo.org/

Released on the 27th of April digitally and in June 2012 physically.

Track listing:

1) Prelude
2) The Moment Is Now
3) World Alive
4) Constant Communication
5) The Night You Left
6) Dig Down Deep
7) Cook Book
8) Crazy Sound
9) Alster

And on Bandcamp:

You can order the cd already. The price is 12€ including worldwide shipping.
You can order also OCD001 Blaine L. Reininger / Glossolalia cd with it for 20€ including worldwide shipping!

Monday, 31 October 2011

OPV006 : Kings of Belgium / Très Fort

Cover art by Kiekebiche

OPV006 : Kings of Belgium / Très Fort

Sixth release in the P.V. Presents Series and second album for Kings Of Belgium, Très Fort is a mixute of atomic jazz-punk-experimental-fusion-trash core music.

The band is again a trio : Pierre Vervloesem ( X-legged Sally, Deus, Flat Earth Society, A Group…) is on bass, guitars and sounds, while Gil Mortio ( Attica, Bruno Vansina…) is on guitars. This time drummer is the formidable virtuoso Swedish Morgan Ägren, from former Mats Morgan Band. He has been a drummer since age four and a Grammy winning musician on both sides of the Atlantic.At age seven he joined forces with ten year old blind keyboardist Mats Öberg in 1981. In 1988, still around their late teens, Morgan and Mats got invited to play with Frank Zappa for a few different projects in the US - just before Zappa passed away.
Morgan has climbed readers polls in various drum- magazines recently. In 2010 he was voted No.1 in Modern Drummers readers poll in the category "fusion".

Morgan has also played with Fleshquartet, Steve Vai, Fredrik Thordendal (of Meshuggah) Spoonman, Glenn Huges, Tony Iommi, Terry Bozzio, Mike Keneally, Denny Walley, Kaipa, Bolon Bata, Dweezil Zappa etc.

The project is based on a free spirited musical approach.
There is no compositions as such, the music is therefore totally spontaneous
which makes it heavy, light, rageous...
depending on the moods explored by the band.
You can compare their way of working with the sound & method of
Meshuggah, John Zorn, Mike Patton, the Residents and Frank Zappa.

The Album was recorded in Morgan’s studio Annanstand near Stockholm on the 16th and 17th of April 2011, then mixed and mastered by Pierre Vervloesem in Brussels.

They intend to play live a lot in 2012 !

Every live performance will be unique and the result will be a new and innovative experience every time...

Physical and digital release on the 30th of November 2011

Track listing :

1. Raz
2. Dangerous Gardening
3. Merry Calculations
4. Les Petits Métiers
5. Living Stone
6. All About Figure Skating
7. Aeolipile
8. Tuskegee Airmen
9. Space Bigotry
10. Ghost Driver
11. Escaped From Nivelles
12. Hua San

Digital bonus tracks:
13. Fukushima Twist
14. Demi Molle de Politesse

Bonus tracks Bandcamp release only:
13. Leftover remix

also:
http://www.pierrevervloesem.be/
http://www.morganagren.com/

And on Bandcamp:

Sunday, 24 July 2011

OCD015 : Dave Formula and Christine Hanson / The Organ Of Corti

Cover art by Kiekebiche

OCD015 : Dave Formula – Christine Hanson / The Organ Of Corti

The new album from Dave Formula and Christine Hanson explores a range of themes and ideas within a variety of acoustic and electro-acoustic landscapes.

Their new album, released on October 17th 2011 on the Off label presents the results of those musical explorations.

“We met in 2009 and discovered we were having a similar recurring dream about a series of adventurous and diverse musical themes.

We would love these sensory themes to enter your ears so we decided to record and unleash them.......

The album we called The Organ of Corti.

Allow yourself to take a similar adventure as us... it can be your version to have whenever you like - awake and even when fully dressed.....”

Guests appearing on the recordings include:

Howard Devoto and Noko - from Magazine, Luxuria and Apollo 440,

Giorgio Li Calzi - award winning Italian jazz trumpet player,

Michael Marra - the acclaimed Scottish singer songwriter/playwrite

Pat McCarthy - leading UK jazz guitarist.

Christine Hanson:

Music has taken Christine Hanson from touring Canada’s High Arctic with a tango trio, to playing traditional music in the Outer Hebrides.

Classically trained Christine, in her many roles as cellist, composer, singer, and sound designer is eclectic in her musical explorations.

Her experiences include :

Compositional commissions, arranging, studio sessions, film soundtrack, theatre sound design, TV work, and performing as an ensemble musician with a variety of groups playing classical, folk, jazz,

pop and experimental music. She also gives master classes in workshop settings on both sides of the Atlantic.

Recent albums contributions have included:

Satellite Sweetheart the new solo album by Dave Formula, A Rose by Italian electronic musician Stefano Panunzi - with Thomas Leer & David Sylvian ,Waltz With Me by Norwegian musician Annbjorg Lien, Songs of Robert Burns by Eddi Reader, Equestrian by Neotropic, Colin

MacIntyre’s album Island, No Thyself by the legendary post punk band Magazine, and Kissin is the Best of A’- the new Bruce MacGregor & Christine Hanson collaboration.

Her own album The Cremation of Sam McGee received rave reviews, as did the successful live shows.

Dave Formula:

Is best known for his work with Magazine, long regarded as one of the most significant & influential British bands. Recently all their albums have been re-mastered by Sean Magee of Abbey Road studios and re-issued by Virgin EMI.

Along with Magazine cohorts John McGeoch and Barry Adamson, Dave joined Steve Strange, Midge Ure, Billy Currie in Visage for two very successful albums before leaving to concentrate on Strongroom Studios, London, which he founded in the mid 1980's.

He has been involved with synthesisers, electronics & live improvisation since the mid- 1970’s. Matt Wand, from Stock, Hausen & Walkman, provided additional electronics on Dave’s recent solo album Satellite Sweetheart.

The album features additional contributions from: Robert Wyatt, Corrine Drewery, Howard

Devoto, John McGeoch & John Doyle.

Dave rejoined his Magazine colleagues for five sold out shows in February 2009 to great critical response and in Summer 2009 Magazine played several European festivals and an acclaimed show at London’s Royal Festival Hall. The band closed the year with T.V. appearances on Later With Jools Holland and BBC Electric Proms.

In October 2011 Magazine release a new album - their first in 30years - followed in November by a nine day tour of the UK .

The video for Mistaken For A Dream:

Digital and physical releases in November 2011.

Track listing :
1) Osseous Labyrinth
2) Adrift
3) Mistaken For A Dream
4) Angel Of Merci
5) 2.13
6) Organ Of Corti
7) Uncle Frank
8) Ornithogalum
9) Winter Stalk
10) Homo Lupus

And a few pictures from Dave in London, April 2011:

Two pics of Dave and Christine for promo / cover:

Sunday, 12 June 2011

KINGS OF BELGIUM + Jam Hub promo.

From the forthcoming new album coming out in October! Pierre Vervloesem, Gil Mortio and the fantastic Morgan Ägren!

Saturday, 21 May 2011

ODG003 : Philippe Petit & Friends / Silk-Screened

Cover art by Kiekebiche

ODG003 : Philippe Petit & Friends / Silk Screened

"Silk-screened” documents another direction from French artist Philippe Petit, whose aim ito always surprise his listeners by releasing records which follow each other while not sounding the same.

For now he is taking us in a cinematic world of dense mixtures of acoustic instrumentation and digital filtering, swaying and unfolding in ways that blend together jazz, modern classical and post rock.

Pursuing a tradition he had started with his "Reciprocess" project, given away with The Wire magazine issue 301, Petit is benefiting from the talent of many of his friends-musicians without whom nothing could be possible and emphasising that according to him music is a collaborative affair.

Philippe Petit: see bio here.

philippe petit: processed acoustics/field recordings + electronics + turntables & glass manipulations + percussions

PHILIPPE PETIT is interested in soundtracks; even if he creates original music he'd rather be introduced as a "musical travel agent" than a composer.

PETIT uses a computer to build up electronic layers, process acoustic and field recordings. To second the machine he likes to move various glasses, or percussive objects, and take advantage of vinyl material to fondle released sounds.

A journalist for various magazines and radio as well as a musical activist, PETIT has celebrated his 25th year of sharing his musical passions as the man behind the cult labels Pandemonium Rdz. and BiP_HOp.

PETIT has assembled what people call a dream-team of collaborators, working with: Lydia Lunch, Foetus, Kumo, Scott McCloud (Girls Against Boys), Cosey Fanni Tutti, My Brightest Diamond, Sybarite, Pantaleimon, Graham Lewis (Wire), Barry Adamson, Scanner, Mira Calix, Kammerflimmer Kollektief, Guapo, Leafcutter John, Simon Fisher Turner, Justin Broadrick and many more...

Aside his solo works, PETIT is active in Strings Of Consciousness, does a duo with Lydia Lunch, and his collab with James Johnston (Gallon Drunk/Bad Seeds/Faust) just appeared on Dirter Promotions.

In the works are collabs with Eugene Robinson (Oxbow), Murcof, Simon Fisher Turner, Vultures and "Cordophony" gathering music whose sound comes from the vibrations of one or several strings.

www.bip-hop.com

Pandemonium records

COLLABORATORS:

Back in the late 70s Graham Massey founded Biting Tongues, one of the first No-Wave act on Factory Records. He then became famous for his Techno experiments under the 808 State moniker, which led him to second Bjork on her “Post” album. Graham is still one of the most renowned and active musicians in Manchester and works in Homelife and Toolshed.

http://www.myspace.com/grahammassey

Hervé Vincenti plays a Fender Jazzmaster and Gretsch guitar, developing graceful notes and varied melodies. Aside co-founding (w/ Philippe Petit) Strings Of Consciousness, Hervé was also a member of Foern-Set and had played with Luc Ferrari.

Jérome Paressant is a French musician who started playing Rock and then moved on to improv and Jazz territories, founded Abraxas Projekt and Downtao

http://jeromeparessant.com/

Andy Diagram paints soundscapes with his trumpet. He blends all sorts of colourful sounds, and then mixes them in his “echo chambers” along with the help of a harmonizer. In the last 20 years Andy's unique style has allowed him to join many bands such as Pere Ubu, Dislocation Dance, Pale Fountains, James, Honkies, Frank Black (Pixies), and permanently Spaceheads, and David Thomas' 2 Pale Boys.

http://www.myspace.com/adiagram

http://www.spaceheads.co.uk/

Oldman was created by Charles-Eric Charrier after his years touring and producing albums in the duo Man. Oldman has collaborated with many artists and musicians including Mathias Delplanque (LENA), Rob Mazurek, ABRAXAS PROJEKT, The Clogs... On this recording he is helped by Cyril Secq who is also known as Astrid and releases on Arbouse, Rémi Bellin and Ronan Benoit.

http://www.myspace.com/charlescoldman

Bela Emerson is an innovative and prolific performer of electric cello, electronics, tenor viol and musical saw, who creates passionate, evocative and spontaneous music of no definable genre. As well as collaborating widely with other musicians and artists, she has four solo releases (vinyl/CD); the latest one, "Hespera" appeared on BiP_HOp to great acclaim.

http://www.belaemerson.com

Belgian vibraphonist Els Vandeweyer began her musical career on the classical path, focusing on contemporary pieces and her works have been documented on various recordings.

http://www.myspace.com/elsvandeweyer

Perceval Bellone plays saxophone, clarinet and Tibetan bowls. He has studied electro-acoustic music, been active in improv scenes and managed to find a style both very personal and physical. He is an active member of Strings Of Consciousness.

http://www.myspace.com/percevalbellone

Raphaelle Rinaudo plays the harp, combing and messing up her strings cautiously knitting melodies that she later distorts by pulling the chords. The atmosphere thus carefully woven, cannot but convene the repressed temptation of the sirens’ song… Raphaelle also plays in the Pierre-Yves Macé ensemble whose albums have been released via Tzadik & Sub Rosa + is an active member of Strings Of Consciousness

It's been more than 25 years since Ulrike Haage had started the first European women's Jazz Orchester REICHLICH WEIBLICH and since then her piano has graced countless recordings.

http://www.myspace.com/ulrikehaage

Track listing:

01) The neon woman: Graham Massey: clarinet bass / Hervé Vincenti: guitar

02) Abraxas: Jérome Paressant: soprano + bass clarinets / guitar / electronics

03) A swirling mix of dystopia: Andy Diagram: trumpet / Charles-Eric Charrier : bass / Remi Bellin: guitar / Cyril Secq: guitar / Ronan Benoit: drums

04) Blossoming krokus: Bela Emerson: cello / Els Vandeweyer: vibraphone / Perceval Bellone: saxophone / Hervé Vincenti: oscillatin' bass

05) A swirling mix of utopia: Graham Massey: clarinet bass / Charles-Eric Charrier : bass / Remi Bellin: guitar / Cyril Secq: guitar / Ronan Benoit: drums

06) Do not follow your own shadow...: Raphaelle Rinaudeo: electric harp / Ulrike Haage: piano / Perceval Bellone: saxophone / Hervé Vincenti: oscillatin' bass + guitar

07) ... Beyond the mist: Raphaelle Rinaudeo: electric harp / Ulrike Haage: piano / Perceval Bellone: clarinet

ODG002 : Rob(U)Rang / Vol.1

Cover art by Kiekebiche

ODG002 : Rob(U)Rang - Vol.1

A 52 min track of cosmic electronic voodoo trance krautrock! This track was composed and produced by Gabriel Séverin (Babils, Gamial Trio, Jardin D'usure, Joint Between Ultraphonist, The,Joint Between, The, Logatomistes, Moonsanto, Silk Saw, Tremolo Dual, Tricot Trio,Ultraphonist, Uncotones: Discogs bio here).
He was then joined by Alinovsky (drums, mixing): Discogs bio here) and Gilles Mortiaux (Guitars: Discogs bio here).

Track listing:

1) Naka no Kami

ODG001 : Nervous Lovers / Corpses for the Discodawn

2009 SEES ANOTHER EXCLUSIVE DIGITAL ONLY SERIES:

The obvious reason to start a digital only series is to give a lot of people quick access to new and adventurous music - worldwide and without the usual time a physical release takes in production, planning, pressing and mailing, while also considering the fact that not everywhere in the world a good record shop supporting that type of music is available. The digital only series furthermore concentrates on home studio projects which might probably not tour. It will have complementary releases to physical releases, meaning bonus tracks or unreleased tracks that will not be on a physical release, but will only be on the digital one. Some of the music might eventually find a place on a physical cd, but as a single, Ep, or mini album.

sister + brother = musicmachine. the whole thing started in august 2004 due to blahblahblah and we both said tralalalala and then blahblahblah for some more trulalalala and then we finally discovered that via chachachacha that there could be blublablubla in a certain way to emphasize the structural/emotional fucking blahblahblah: "WHY DO WE KEEP ON SINGING THE SAME SONGS OVER AND OVER AGAIN?"

note: talent doesn´t grow in a garage or live inside your favourite drug or inside your new pants and surely your degenerated look-a-like friends are not a big source of inspiration either. get a life. grab you chance. do it. work for it. try hard. at least some geek will listen to you - in guatemala or on the orkney islands. have your 15 sec. of fame and die - you human moth.

all music written, arranged and produced by daniel vujanic (GEMA)

performed by NERVOUS LOVERS:

mariana vujanic: vocals.

daniel vujanic: guitars, bass, electronics, synths, percussion, piano,

found sounds, sampling, programming and vocals.

with special guests:

mike michal: vocals on "accidental erasure" and "parallel bedrooms"

heiner stilz: horns/reeds

goran palavestric: additional field recording on "escape to the swamp lodge"

emerald nutz: vocals on "rum pump theme"

kerstin griesshaber: vocals on "slumbaleph (dub)"

recorded, mixed and sequenced by daniel vujanic at the carcastlelab and

at the eparkII. more additional recordings from the highway to hell,

the rosenstrasse and the truemmermoloch, commited to hard-disk

by daniel vujanic/NERVOUS LOVERS. last but not least, niko lazarakopoulos

gets credit for recording some of the vocals at his studio landebahn.

a heartfelt "merci/hvala/dankeschoen/thank you" goes out to: our family, our friends, our guests, fidel and Alain Lefebvre.

"every point is light..."

Tracks listing:

1) at the witchdoctor ´s tourist-office

2) corpses for the discodawn

3) the long wait (forever)

4) accidental erasure? total devastation!

5) circuit breakers (droid version)

6) the splits

7) rum pump theme

8) parallel bedrooms

9) drainage communiqué

10) as long as the new credits pay the old debths

11) dumb cheerleader anthem

12) escape to the swamp lodge

13) slumbaleph (dub)

14) savagery & instruments

And on Bandcamp: