Eight Pieces For The Buchla 100 Series
Play Loud, 2021
8/10
Listen to Eight Pieces For The Buchla 100 Series
A very interesting concept by the artist Mario Verandi, the tracks here came to be by recording, editing and mixing several improvisations performed exclusively on the historic Buchla 100 series modular synthesizer at the Ernst Krenek Institut in Krems, Austria.
“Modul I” opens the listen with a warm, sci-fi presence that uses beeps and ambience strategically, and this creativity continues with the repetition of “Modul II”, which emits a hypnotic quality amid low buzzing.
“Modul IV” lands at the halfway point and emits an oddly meditative quality with its meticulous textures, while “Modul V”, the best track, glides a bit more firmly in a cinematic sort of way.
“Modul VII” and “Modul VIII” exit the listen, where the former is particularly eerie in a very fascinating way, and the latter fades out into otherworldly sounds of a playful, dynamic vision.
The art here emanates from the only Buchla 100 series available in Europe, and Verandi’s keen sense of space and time allow for a very atypical manipulation of sounds and tone, and it will be sure to resonate with fans of synth fueled exploration.
Travels well with: Mind & Machine, Vol. 4; Bill Whitley- Then Elephant Speaks