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RECORDED MUSIC: REVIEWS Vromb & Szkieve Le pavillon des oiseaux / Le monorail Hushush [2003] 7" (Collaboration release) 2003/05 : Recycle Your Ears First collaboration ever for these two Canadian artists that are Szkieve (head of AHushush) and the well known Vromb. The first has just released his second CD, "Des rythmes de passage", following his split picture 12" with Ammo, and the second is coming back from one of his beatiest works ever ("Le tourne-disque"), meeting now (probably in some sci-fi looking studio in Montréal) to breed their very distinct shades of sound experiments. "Le pavillon des oiseaux" starts by presenting a typical Vromb "spherical" rhythm, made of a continuous layering of slightly changing beats, in the particular way which has made (and still makes) Vromb's charm. However, it is here enriched by a relatively accessible soundscape (probably Szkieve's part), made of beautiful tones. These change and evolve a bit faster than the beats, therefore giving to the track a very nice depths, itself improved by the bird samples appearing toward the end of the track. A Vromb track at first sight, this piece is a bit more, and fans of Vromb might hear on it a new way for this act to present his beats. On the other side, "Le Monorail" is a bit more ambiant, relying on Szkieve's high frequencies drones, while Vromb's drum is not as regular as usual. Working quite well, this track is not as catchy as its predecessor, but presents a lot more changes and a wider array of sounds, ranging from the high drones to rather bassy percussions and slightly gritty details in between. Deep and dark, this monorail really takes you from one point to the other, ending in a blurry, deep sound and a concluding voice sample. Vromb and Szkieve being both talented solo artists, I would have been really surprised if their encounter hadn't given birth to a very pleasant release. They didn't disappoint, and each of these acts genuinely bring something to the other: Vromb gets a more drony approach which breaks from the slightly repetitive loops of his latest full length albums, while Szkieve gains a bit in accessibility with the percussions. Too bad that this release is just a 7", as I definitely like a lot what these two musicians came up with. |