| "A great achievement, a breakthrough, a quiet gem..... An uncategorisable CD that moves from the echo of one half-recognisable musical language to another; there is always a sense of melody, though often stretches seem apparently abstract; the structures are always focused and seductive." - Chris Cutler, ReR
"Astonishing and profound"- Editorial, Stride
"A really rich album with a diversity of experiences and incredible presentation" - Jazzosphere Archer's definitive (to date) solo release mixes elements from improv, contemporary electronics and folk musics, plus a nod toward Sheffield's electronic past, into a beautiful yet uneasy whole. Completing a trilogy with Ghost Lily Cascade (1994) and Winter Pilgrim Arriving (2000), Heritage and Ringtones comprises partly a series of radical cover versions in which everything but the melody is stripped away and replaced by Archer's unique electronic abstractions, and partly original compositions based largely around Archer's violectronic sound. A deliberate attempt to close the difference between live performance and studio approach results in a return to the harsher improv sound world of earlier releases, contrasted with some beautiful melodic and textural work. The past, present and future sit uneasily side by side on this slice of authentic English genius, while the spirits of Faust, Ratledge and Vander listen on. |
ARTISTS
Martin Archer - violectronics, keyboards, processing, sopranino and alto saxophones, Bb and bass clarinets
with
Ingar Zach - percussion
Simon H. Fell - double bass
Rhodri Davies - harp
Tim Cole - acoustic guitar
Julie Cole - voice
Masayo Asahara - processing
Chris Meloche - processing
Herb Bayley - trombone |