Hard core WHITE_LINERS will almost certainly be aware of my ongoing love affair with Koyuki –Sound, the ultra-minimalist Italian label,(curated and run by Sani & Turra) whose output punches well above it’s weight, one of the most exciting little labels operating today, each release housed in a stark, elegant cover, designed by Turra. It is with no surprise then, that fellow countryman, Kinetix has made an appearance in their 8cm series, with a 20-plus minute work that is just exquisite. I’ve been an ardent fan of Mr Kinetix (Gianluca Becuzzi) for some time now, following his career from afar, since the release of his epically minimal “Selected E-Missions” on Small Voices imprint. On Absolute Grey, the work has been honed and tempered to near perfection. Opening with uniquely distorted vocalisations, then shifting into an expansive, but highly refined tonal structure that sounds like Alva Noto on sedatives, Absolute Grey, for me represents one of the high points of his recorded output. These tonal sequences glisten and hover amongst a murky, atmospheric backdrop, with extensive slices of silence, occupied and populated with gorgeously paced tones and electronic interventions. If you buy no other release this year, then I urge you to experience the beauty and refinement of Absolute Grey..do I sound excited? – yes..do I sound envious?..yes..buy this NOW before it is gone forever..absolutely essential. BGN
WHITE_LINE [UK]
Gianluca Becuzzi is not an unfamiliar name for me. I have heard several of his collaborations with Fabio Orsi dealing with field recordings and a shared love for Alan Lomax. After some short research on the net I find out that besides these collaborations has a long running history in the Italian experimental underground music, going back to the early eighties. With his project Kinetix he is dealing with computer music mainly with a focus on ambient and minimal music.
The EP release Absolute Grey is his first work for the also Italian label Koyuki and fits in well with the previous releases they have brought. The release starts out with strange voices but after this, harmonies of sine tones take over. As with the previous releases on Koyuki this all plays at a low level.
Becuzzi adds high pitched sounds and low pulses, making the music rhythmical. You could think of the ambient version of anything released at Raster-Noton.
Just over half of the piece the focus turns to the harmonics and a calming piece of moving sine tones is left. Until we move to the end. The last few minutes become dark. The voice returns, distant screeching metal, low pitched rumblings. From a lush dream into a nightmare.
Absolute Grey is a nice piece of minimal music and a pleasant addition to the Koyuki family and makes me want to dig some deeper in this musical project by Becuzzi.
Sietse van Erve
EARLABS