One of the more recent releases in Raster-Noton's clear series, "Wohltemperiert" ("Probably") is another collaboration between √ò (Mika Vainio of Pan Sonic) and Noto (Carsten Nicolai, founder of Noton). Primarily recorded during the winter of 1998 in New York City with gear borrowed from Larry Seven, the disc comes in a transparent flip top Trimpak inside a card sleeve jacket. Nicolai's contributions are seemingly minimal as the high pitched tones and glitches that are his usual auditory signature are used here economically. It's the sparse hum and pulse which are Vainio's forte that make up the bulk of these 61 minutes.
Raster-Noton
Of the 15 tracks, the lengthiest, the 4 to 8 minute ones, are the most rewarding as steady/wavering tones, compressed air, static and oscillating rhythms form meditative jet streams of sound. It's all rather stark, chilly and undefinable save for moments reminiscent of a dental water pick, a chirping cricket, clanking bottles, etc. (and if fabric could literally breathe, "Mur" would be its snoring). The final 3 tracks, about 2 and 1/2 minutes total, break away with a chatter of squiggles and the unexpectedly cute "Zwielichtmelodie" ("Twilight Melody"). "Wohltemperiert" offers little in the way of surprises but it will all make perfect sense to collectors of Raster-Noton's austere minimalism.
 
samples:
 
Read More
