detach now by Michael Valentine West
On occasion, we are sent a work with such uniqueness and distinction that we are immediately floored by it and the prospect of releasing it is thoroughly compelling. This album, 'detach now' by Michael Valentine West is one of those works. Simultaneously pulsing, haunting, rhythmically complex, and moving.
On the surface 'detach now' evokes the clicks & cuts one might find on Mille Plateaux or Raster-Noton. On deeper inspection, we find a prominent jazz thread of influence, with Michael particularly influenced by freeform jazz, and such luminary drummers like Tony Williams and Jack DeJohnette. At times, 'detach now' also evokes such autechrian territory as the likes of 'bine' and 'SURRIPERE.'
Crunchy thuds and hits abound, alongside synthetic oscillations. Drones, pulses, ramps, curves, crunches, crackles, pops, snaps, glitches, slurps: all crushed, derezed, rerezed, and reconstructed. All the while we are grooving hard against the backdrop of these tapestries. Even lullaby-esque melodic vignettes can be found here. We don't know how Michael has created this work, but we find the result to be enchanting and sublime.
We will say no more and invite you to listen: it is with honor and pleasure that we release 'detach now' as a part of the 3OP recording family. Listen loudly and you will be rewarded.
E&N
Michael Valentine West is a composer combining many disciplines including jazz, glitch, ambient, minimal, hip hop, and sound design. He has released on renowned labels such as Ana Ott, Kaer'Uiks, and Polygon Network.
Music by Michael Valentine West
Mastering by Nil Hartman
Artwork by Michael Valentine West
Photography by Andrew Bates
Tracklist
| 1. | tone program | 1:49 |
| 2. | xhosa | 3:32 |
| 3. | samba | 3:17 |
| 4. | dejohnette | 4:16 |
| 5. | code 11 | 4:11 |
| 6. | things fall apart | 4:55 |
| 7. | fontella | 1:33 |
| 8. | detach now | 4:52 |
| 9. | transcend rules | 5:04 |
| 10. | tone poem | 4:47 |
