Mastock

Enigma – the cross of changes (CD)

Enigma is a German electronic music group formed in 1990 by Michael Cretu, David Fairstein and Frank Peterson. `The cross of changes `, which came out in 1993 is their second album (9 songs = 44.21 minutes). I know the name but I never heard their music before. I bought a bunch of their albums for 2.00 $ each at Renaissance Montréal. One of the issues I have with electronic music in general is when an album comes out it sounds so damned good, but it doesn`t pass the test of time. They probably sold millions of copies in 1993, I`m sure. Unfortunately this album didn`t age well at all. The music here is good, it`s well produced. They created an impressive mix of electronic, downtempo, ambient and new age. The music is dreamy at times it includes elements of world music, neo-romantism, esoterica, and some deep mythical / religious atmospheres thrown in. I`m not into new age what can I say. This is good it just doesn`t work for me folks. Contact: http://www.enigmaspace.com/

Ondrej Smeykal – didgeridoo solo CD)

Ondrej Smeykal is a Czech didgeridoo respected player and visual artist. A self-released first effort (9 tracks = 56.04 minutes), which came out in 2004. His gear is minimal, yet highly effective; didgeridoo (a wind instrument developed by indigenous Australians), fujara (a large folk shepherd`s overtone fipple flute which comes from central Slovakia), and some clapsticks ( a type of drumstick intended for striking each other). The end results an epic blending of music styles, folk, world (I mean that in a good way), aboriginal, country, tribal, and avant folk. The only reason I bought this albums because of the didgeridoo. I love it`s soothing, peaceful, meditative droning sounds. A mix of subtle groves and psychedelic tribal music (Muslimgauze comes to mind here). I could hear this all day long and never get bored. My standout tracks of the moment are:

5 – Adpoved (5.26 minutes) = a strongly percussive track.

6 – Jeden den (5.05 minutes) = an out there, alien ambient piece (my saucer has landed and it feels good to be home). The Gentleman has his own website. Get all your goodies and info here: http://www.smeykal.com/1/en/ondrej-smeykal/

homemade postcard of the day

Lab Findings # 7 (zine)

Last night, I come back home, tired and exhausted. I open my mailbox. It`s full of small parcels / letters from mail artists / zine makers and various oddballs I won`t mention here. The good doctor Bill sent me his latest Lab Findings, number 7 (time sure flies when you`re having fun and you`re getting older). LB is a 8.5 by 11, black & white, printed, irregularly published zine (6 pages). The zine`s divided in two sections. The first part, `the magic mailbag `consists of a huge list (68 contacts to be precise) of stuff the doctor received via the good old, highly expensive postal system. He mentions one Clark Alan Dismeyer on his list. I wonder if it`s the same gentleman who used to be into mini-comics, between the eighties and the nineties. There`s only one way to find out, contact him. The second section`s named `random viewings `. It`s a list of various movies (62) he`s watched. I saw 1990 Bronx Warriors (1982) and Bronx Warriors 2 (1983) a long time ago. I liked them both. Contact:

Kobb Labs

P.O.BOX 30231

Pensacola

Florida

32503

USA.