![kdi dctb 146 [e]](https://www.cyclicdefrost.com/wp-content/gr78-150x150.jpg)
This one-track environmental recording by sound artist Cédric Peyronnet (otherwise known as Toy.bizzare) documents a long running “sound mapping” project. Somewhere in the vicinity of the town of Limoges in South-west France, the Taurion Valley carries on existing in reality, but now resides in Cédric Peyronnet’s extensive oeuvre of phonography, soundscapes and related environmental recordings. Further information about this project can be found here.
kdi dctb 146 [e] summons forth idyllic images of grassy meadows, sinuous streams and a delicately interconnected biosystem that maintains its specific rhythm in an unknowing defiance to the frenetic nature of our own. That’s not to say that there are no human-derived sounds contained within. The first sound that enters in is an aeroplane moving across the stereo field from left to right. There’s also the unmistakable thrum of a two-stroke outboard motor towards the end of the piece as Cedric pilots his way along the edges of the riparian environment. Predominantly, the sounds on kdi dctb 146 [e] are avian and aquatic, with the odd bovine and heavy traffic captured in order to paint an accurate aural picture of this Gallic valley. The sheer vitality and diversity of the sounds of the aquatic environment are a highlight, but possibly a “natural break” (as they say in the Tour de France) may be in order prior to setting out.
Superficially, I was immediately reminded of the mighty Chain Reaction label and their short-lived metal box CD cases from the late 90s, (which were superseded due to a cracking issue within the CD itself). No worries about this occurring with this release for the German Gruenrekorder label – the CD fits snuggly into a faux-velour spindle anyway, enough object fetishism, as the CDR version has now sold out at source.
kdi dctb 146 [e]was originally composed as a piece for four channels. Reduced to stereo, the three dimensional intent of the recording is still very apparent. I would recommend that you avail yourself of some decent (preferably Germanic) headphones in order to fully immerse yourself in the subtle rhythms of the Taurion Valley. Active headphone listening brought out the hypnotic beauty at the centre of this recording, whilst as background music competing with the hum of urban life, kdi dctb 146 [e]barely registered.
The liner notes refer to a concept hinting towards French composer Luc Ferrari, that of “la recherche du Presque rien” or more prosaically “in the search for almost nothing”. Abandoning preconceptions of musicality and experimentation before entering Cédric Peyronnet’s interpretation of the Taurion valley may provide the committed and observant listener with a delightful distraction from their workaday life.
Oliver Laing
