gustavojobim
Joined: Oct 05, 2011 Posts: 81 Location: rio de janeiro, brazil
Audio files: 1
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Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2012 1:52 pm Post subject:
Review of PERSPECTIVES Subject description: Artemi Pugachov talks about the free download 2012 piano album |
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By Artemi Pugachov / Encyclopedia of Electronic Music
http://www.pugachov.ru/eem
"Perspectives" is a collaborative project between electronic musician Gustavo Jobim and British photographer Ian Land who currently resides in Berlin. It's a multimedia concept where each track corresponds (more or less) or is based on a certain photography by Ian Land. All of the pictures are black and white. Musically, Gustavo has chosen a different approach this time - relying solely of electric piano (using acoustic piano timbres) with virtually no electronics.
The first track, "Am Schlachtensee", is a study in repetition. It recalls classic American minimalist works of people like Philip Glass.
The title track follows and it's a much more haunting affair. High notes hang in the air like ghosts waiting to get saved from their endless wandering. However, as the track progresses, some impressionistic hues start to become noticeable. Not very Debussy-like (too chaotic for that), but still with that special, early 20th century mood. The track gets heavier as it progresses, with bass notes replacing the higher ones completely.
"Exemplary Service" is, on the other hand, pretty emotional and has a nice melodic sensibility. It reminded me a bit on Roedelius' style during his Forst period of working in the Cluster duo, as well as his subsequent creative years (1980 - 1991). Excellent track, this one.
"Asche zu Asche" steps it up a notch in drama. Although monochrome, these notes really manage to get the message through. An epitaph of shattered dreams and a hymn to decay, this is probably the darkest piece of the album.
"Arc de Triomphe" has faster piano runs and an overall brighter atmosphere, using major keys along with the minor ones. Overall, it's really one of the most complex tracks of the album, with multiple changes of themes and moods. Again, the general direction is rather impressionistic.
"Ghosts" returns to minimalist moods, with a very soundtrack-like quality to it. It could serve as a soundtrack to a mystery / drama / horror movie. Nice!
"Debris" is in a "sequenced piano" style that was explored on some of Gustavo's previous albums. All the fast piano runs really set up a darkish and disturbing mood, turning into monolithic walls of sound, crashing waves and ripples. The interesting part is that at times the music on this track doesn't sound like piano at all. It is probably the most explorative piece here.
"Rejected" closes the album on a minimal Brian Eno / Harold Budd note, with that special touch of Roedelius. Beautiful!
I really think of this album as one of Gustavo's main creative achievements. It is always a challenge to record a successful piano album, but he really managed to do something that differs from his usual output and yet possesses an irresistible quality and undeniable artistic value. It really helps to watch the photographs while listening to this music, as the ideas behind the tracks get clearer. Great album by Gustavo!
FREE DOWNLOAD: www.gustavojobim.com/en/mus_per.php |
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