Artist:
Banco de Gaia
Title:
Kintsugi E.P.
Label:
Disco Gecko Recordings
Released:
6th November 2020
This latest release from Toby Marks is described as a contemplative affair, full of contrasts of light and shade reflecting the turmoil in which it was made. It’s largely beat-free, which he hopes will bring a little light and peace to you in these troubled times.
The opening track ‘Floatless’ begins with the stereotypical field recording of running water, and the feeling of nature remains, with those synth voices that sound like they are pushing air. The other accompanying synths sounds utilised, have a lovely retro feel that are reminiscent of the 90’s. The second track ‘Slow Gravity’ moves away from the beat-free expectation. It’s a slow chugger that to be frank takes a little time to unfurl. However, once it does it’s a lovely eastern flavoured number, with haunting flutes, strings and ethnic vocals. There’s eerie almost ear screeching intro, with what maybe distorted bagpipes on ‘Yesterday and most of today’ In fact he packs in a fair amount to such a short piece with narrative snippets, car alarms and a saw.
Were back to those field recording staples, this time with birdsong applied to the intro of ‘All Day in Summer’. He then adds some female spoken word and slowly played piano, before the accompanying strings and ethereal vocals shine some light into the melancholy. This is the sort of track for me that is just perfect to wake up to. Then for the finale, is the title track itself which features Esbe. For those unaware Kintsugi is the Japanese method of repairing and restoring pottery. The impression I got from this ambient number is that a dark tone is set under the Japanese dialogue and then the synths and vocals represent the rays of sunshine breaking through. Most probably with the aim of the music to repair and restore.
Reviewed by Woodzee
Links
https://smarturl.it/kintsugi_ep
there is also a Live Downtempo A/V Set to celebrate the release and you can find out more info here
https://www.facebook.com/events/2813164888951401
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