Ryoji Ikeda and Carsten Nicolai: Cyclo

iken-c.jpg (14k) Ryoji Ikeda and Carsten Nicolai: Cyclo
(Raster-Noton - 2001)

Japanese microcomposer Ryoji Ikeda and Raster-Noton's founder Carsten Nicolai join forces to create the new submolecular music of Cyclo.

The technological-yet-ethereal essence is even reflected in the unique packaging... a clear plastic discholder with it's own expulsion mechanism... cool!

The processes behind the music are best explained by the notes (since none come with the disc) at distributor Dutch East India's website... "Selective use of automated processes like the overlapping of loops and their falsification through wrong calculation or incorrect condensation algorithms, errors and the translation into rudimentary rhythmic constellations are the results of their work."

That explained... Buzzing and popping like a syncopated short circuit, C 2 establishes a catchy (though barely substantial) rhythm accented by further bleeps and hums. Less-organized, the sputtering pastiche of C 4 (1:09) erupts in sizzling riffles, squealing tones and discombobulated fragments. The buzzily hypnotizing swirls and microbass pulsations of vaguely dubby C 5 intriguingly transcend their noise-based roots.

After the ear-ringing output of C 6, one appreciates the softer bristles of C 7 which thrums with a micromechanical nature. While too fragile to be considered truly "funky", cool C 7 hisses and pips with something of an attitude. A slower tempo of algorythmically sputtering "beats" stop-and-start throughout C 9 (7:42).

As if listeners really need a "chill-out" after these intangibilities, C 10 provides one with its closing moments of the lightest of sizzles...

Digital soundmasters Ryoji Ikeda and Carsten Nicolai pool the best of their sensibilities into glitchy-yet-accessible Cyclo. Transcending much of the current clicky output, the disc achieves an 8.5 of appreciation for experimentations that (micro)manage to entrance.

Raster-Noton releases, and hundreds more, are always found at Dutch East.

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This review posted July 31, 2001

AmbiEntrance © 2001-1997 by David J Opdyke (except CD cover art, rights retained by original owners).