English, Lawrence – “Viento” – [TAIGA Records]

abacus   3/9/2015   12-inch, A Library

field recordings from the southern summer of 2010 en route to Antarctica; trapped by weather for days at an airbase in Patagonia capturing the sounds of wind beaten abandoned buildings, rattling fences and signposts, trees bent along the tundra grasses: the crisp, clear recording captures the most minute of environmental details and and every contour in the maelstrom of air. Antarctica was recorded over the course of two different blizzards, one carrying winds dropping to a lifeless -40 degree centigrade; reverberating tonal phase drones emanating from the battered structures and telecommunications equipment. winds no human was meant to endure, a sheer ferocity of force. (cold endings complement the experience)