Arandel – “Solarispellis” – [InFine’]

Naysayer   6/28/2015   A Library, CD

“Solarispellis” is the sophomore output of anonymous producer Arandel. InFine’, the Parisian label, has put out this interesting project which is supposedly a soundtrack to a fictions film. Completed all on analog “this album was made using a bunch of old vintage analog keyboards (elektronika em-26, teisco ps-60, crumar multiman-s, gem sprinter 49, moog slim phatty, korg monotron, antonelli electric organ 2377, casio pt-1, excel-o-tone), a stylophone, a mfb-522 drum machine, a couple of gongs, various acoustic and electronic percussions, drums, a handle of shells, a bike bell, a touch of field recordings, some analog effects, vocals, and a few samples from ?? in d ??.” Unquote. “In D” was the first album of symphonic quality. “Solarispellis” is different in some ways. Set up as sections and interludes, Arandel explores the different sonic qualities available from using the above mentioned analog tools. References abound: Eno, Krautrock, early Reich and Glass minimalism, techno light. I hear a tailored down Add N To X. It’s all good. Rich analog beats, some more ethereal, others with a focus on movin’ IT, all add to the ever changing atmosphere that the soundtrack provides. It’s fun trying to figure out what scene would go with the sounds, yet it is more enjoyable falling into the music. The hints of 70’s revisited but redone with a 21st century outlook filled my sonic soul. Play it play it play it.