The Sprawl nights in London, run by Douglas ‘si-cut.db’ Benford and Iris ‘Bit Tonic’ Garrelfs, have provided a valuable hub for underground electroacoustic activity in the city for over 12 years, something that could all too easily be swallowed up. Held in pleasant informal venues, usually pubs, with cheap entry and drinks, previous high-profile events have involved Taylor Deupree, Richard Chartier and Thai food on a boat in the Thames, with lesser gigs featuring yours truly playing classical records for Christmas with Room 40’s For Barry Ray. This recording by floating ensemble Symbiosis Orchestra features only Garrelfs, Scanner’s Robin Rimbaud and vibraphone player Stefano Tedesco from the London stable (that I’m aware of), but their approach and sound very much embodies the Sprawl aesthetic.
Founded by Italian sound artist Andrea Gabriele, Symbiosis Orchestra’s performances rely strongly on Claudio Sinatti’s stage design and visuals, obviously absent on this CD. ‘Live Journeys’ nonetheless offers an engaging document of the audio component of these shows: subtly shifting, lower-case explorations of the ensemble’s sonic capabilities. These include computer (Gabriele, Garrelfs, Scanner, Mario Masullo), woodwinds (Geoff Warren), synths, bass and guitar (Gabriele), voice (Garrelfs), vibraphone and feedback (Tedesco), with guests Diego Conti, Roberto di Egidio and Michele Scurti on violin, trumpet and piano respectively contributing to two tracks.
Most of these pieces move slowly through the group’s range, picking up stray tones and timbres, like Mimeo, as they progress, held together by loose but coherent, and frequently menacing, threads. Many of them have the prettiness and approachability of (quasi-)ambient: ‘Live at Peam2005, Ecoteca, Pescara’ stretches thin digital streams around Garrelf’s processed moans and Tedesco’s sparse percussion akin to Radian’s quieter moments. Conversly, ‘Live at Fabricaeuropa, Florence 1’ sets up an immediate tribal rhythm, with cracked, warbly pads all reminiscent of Muslimgauze. ‘Live Lullabie’ strays into Philip Jeck territory, with warm, hazy static enveloping di Egidio’s pithy trumpet lines. Only Garrelf’s voice grates, and only ocassionally, as on ‘Live at Post Post Studio 2’, but otherwise ‘Live Journeys’ is compelling, an album with flow and logic rare in such live collections.
Joshua Meggitt
