If playing an acoustic guitar in a room is reality, then Turkish composer/guitarist Erdem Helvacioglu’ attempt to alter reality could scarcely be more lush and dreamy. It’s experimental music, with a focus on the term music, using audiomulch to treat solo acoustic guitar. The treatments give the instrument additional depth, a tail of reverb and tone, which he can then manipulate in interesting ways without shattering the mood. He is often more than not content to simply gently strum away, the treated sound forming a warm electronic gloss, which makes the album feel quite meditative and peaceful. Helvacioglu is at pains to point out that the recordings were done in one take, with no additional overdubs, or any pre prepared material. Though this is not improvisation that we’re used to. Helvacioglu approaches the guitar in quite a traditional way, generally strumming delicately and utilising chord changes. He is not treating the sound to remove or disguise the source, rather he seems as attracted to the warm delicate sound of his acoustic guitar as the electronic constructions that trail in their wake. At times it almost seems like a duo performance, the treatments like a different instrument duetting call and response style just behind the guitar, yet at others the two components are firmly interlocked. However he is very clearly responding to the combined results of his strumming and the treatments, and then approaching these elements in new ways for each track. What more could you ask for? It’s a work of tender grace and sublime beauty.
Bob Baker Fish
