If you were given a choice of label back catalogues to delve into for re-issue purposes then Raster Noton would certainly be high on the plunder list. Here we find Tokyo-based Raum (a sub label of Flau) unearthing characteristically timeless electronic music from Robert Lippok of To Rococo Rot fame. This EP was originally released on Raster Noton back in 2001, and receives a deserved reissue on clear wax complete with an additional bonus track.
Expectations of 15 year old electronic music can sometimes be low yet Flau’s tasteful choice proves excellent. Part conceived as soundtrack to a video installation for Japanese artist Takehito Koganezawa, the three original tracks feature looped found sounds of the buzzing, whirring, micro-mechanoid variety.
Ghostly samples of Gustav Mahler’s 5th Symphony float by, connecting a 115 year old piece of music with modern electronics. Stylistically, it’s a kind of classical meets Alva Noto Xerrox ethos – sculpting sampled noises into sound design beauty and creating a parallel audio universe from the every day.
The bonus track is also a treat in a fuzzy busted Murcof way, as ripped tape sounds slice through looped piano repetitions and memories of childhood. The centre piece ‘Close’ is possible EP highlight with those Mahler strings welling up from a soup of spectral voices and machine chatter. Stunning stuff.
Open Close Open is out now, order a vinyl copy from Juno.
TRACKLIST
A1. Open
A2. Close
B1. Open
B2. +
Discover more about Robert Lippok and Raum on Inverted Audio.