Organum – Sphyx (1994, UK)
Our next spotlight is on number 1060 on The List, submitted by @soundclamp.
And, by coincidence, directly following our last spotlight on a 1994 album, here we have another 1994 album! That year was such a sweet spot for music, at least for my tastes, so it’s no surprise that this album of experimental, improvised, dark ambient sounds is amazing. Discogs is adamant that Organum consists of David Jackman and only David Jackman so I gather it’s a sticking point that the “Organum” name is essentially a moniker for Jackman, but this release also features Dinah Jane Rowe (who’s on a number of Organum releases), Jim O’Rourke (who’s on everything, everywhere), Eddie Prévost (of AMM, The Scratch Orchestra, etc.) and Christoph Heemann. And whereas the Organum project apparently is more known for noise firmly in the post-industrial and minimalist drone categories, this album features lovely wind instruments throughout that bring a more romantic element than those two tags would normally be associated with. I can’t find this streaming anywhere other than YouTube and physical copies of both the original and limited 2002 reissue seem to be rather rare, so, note that: (a) the link below is the reissue version that contains 2 additional tracks (originally from a limited 7″ also released in 1994), so stop it around the 35:54 mark if you want to just experience the album as originally intended (but I’m certain you’ll want to hear it all); and (b) at least at the time of writing, Steve Albini’s NM copy of the original pressing is available, here. Also note that, while the definition of “organum” is essentially a liturgical chant, there are no voices (or liturgies) here. There may, however, be sphyxes for all I know, though I’m fairly certain that’s a nonsense word. But, then again, what isn’t.
#1990s #ambient #christophHeemann #darkAmbient #davidJackman #dinahJaneRowe #drone #eddiePrevost #electronic #experimental #improvisation #jimOrourke #listenToThis #music #musicDiscovery #organum
