“Product 02” reviewed by Cyclic Defrost

This album from the experimental Portuguese label Cronica is actually a split disc featuring two separate works, coincidently from the same artist. Ran Slavin is an audio/ video composer and improviser who has previously operated under diverse monikers such as Tonr, Extract, Iran and Rose of Jericho, working with various noise outfits in Israel and London from the late 80’s – early nineties. These days his musical work is purely within the abstract electronic realm, utilising flecks of static and warm metallic drones to come across with the treated lushness and depth of Austrian maestro Christian Fennesz. The initial nine cuts under the umbrella Tropical Agent are quite amazing constructions, gorgeous minimal drone pieces, warm low key pulses that resemble beats, skittery delayed electronics and a craftsman like use of dynamics. Allowing for thirty seconds dead air in between, on Vista Plain, the opening track of the second part entitled Ears in Water, Slavin incorporates the gentle strumming of guitar, a pulsating drone and some gently tearing digital static to hypnotic effect. Whilst the remainder of the disc continues deep within the experimental realm of the first, it is actually stranger, somewhat more abstract, with peculiar muttering over far away drones, and sounds that seem to begin from miles away before slowly evolving into focus.

Bob Baker Fish

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