FOUR TET Releases Exclusive Track For Upcoming Japan Benefit Compilation

Dead C — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 02:36:53 +0000

In the world of electronic music, Kieran Hebden (aka: Four Tet) is one of the good ones. Timeless, incredibly consistent, and impervious to trends, it’s always worth looking into anything new that is released with the Four Tet name stamped onto it. Highly respected as an innovator in his field since the late 1990s, albums like 2001‘s PAUSE -his breakthrough sophomore release under the Four Tet moniker- showcased Hedben‘s continued reimagining of the genre through the incorporation of acoustic instrumentation and such unorthodox samples as clicking typewriter keys. It also resulted in the media pinning Hebden as the posterboy for another catchphrase movement that was being referred to as “Folktronica.” A decade later, he is still the one to watch. Even when the musician/producer isn’t releasing his own solo material or working with Fridge (his pre-Four Tet post-rock outfit) he’s remixing music by everyone from Aphex Twin, Madvillain, and Battles to Beth Orton, Explosions in the Sky, and Black Sabbath, or collaborating with the likes of Burial and Thom Yorke.

His latest work, “MOMA” [posted below] is an exclusive track created for an upcoming Japan benefit compilation curated by Blonde Redhead‘s Kazu Makino.

Titled, We Are the Works In Progress, the album was not only compiled in benefit of Makino‘s homeland of Japan, but it features one of the most impressive lists of talents that I ever remember seeing on any compilation; benefit or otherwise. Along with Four Tet’s lead off track, other compilation-exclusive tracks have been donated by artists like Deerhunter, John Maus, and Nosaj Thing. There’s even an appearance by experimental minimalist composer/legend Terry Riley, who offers up an exclusive complete reworking of one of his older 1970s tracks. Many Westerners may have already forgotten about the horrendous tragedies that struck Japan earlier in the year, but there is still an endless amount of post-tsunami aid that needs to be given to the country and purchasing an incredible album that you should probably be picking up anyway is a great way to do it. The fact that all profits will be going directly to Japan relief is only a tremendous bonus.

The album is 14 tracks deep and will be released in both digital and double vinyl formats January 10th 2012.

Pre-order the vinyl through THIS LINK.

Here are the complete details (via the press release):

WE ARE THE WORKS IN PROGRESS is a 14-song benefit album to support Japan and it’s ongoing efforts to heal post-tsunami. Born in Kyoto Japan, Kazu Makino wanted to help her homeland and turned to her friends and colleagues to ask that they donate tracks for the album. The response was unbelievable, and Kazu has collected an amazingly cohesive group of songs.

The album is the first release on the Asa Wa Kuru label, which Blonde Redhead created together for this album. It is Japanese for “Morning Will Come”.

Proceeds from the album will initially go to Japan Society and Architecture For Humanity, and more will be added. It’s important to Kazu to add additional charities as the situation keeps developing and worsening, and people’s needs keep changing. Her hope is that they can work with agencies that also help changing the way we live and think and help us become less reliant on nuclear power.

Kazu writes: This album contains exclusive material by artists that I admire. It took a while to make it this way, but it was worth the wait. We wanted it to be something special – something you don’t normally put on and album, and therefore many of these tracks are works in progress….hence the name. They are ideas that we became very attached to…versions of music that aren’t right for release, but ones that we love. Unfinished things often carry more energy….the possibility of it eventually becoming something great is infinite without having to be quite yet. I’ve noticed that each songs relates to one another. Like my friend Scott Mou said, “it sounds like each song is passing a baton to the next one”. I feel the same way.

TRACK LISTING

1. MOMA – FOUR TET exclusive

2. NO FACE – KARIN DREIJER ANDERSSON Fever Ray/The Knife, exclusive

3. G SONG – TERRY RILEY exclusive reworking of a song from the 70s by Terry himself, including new vocals

4. NIGHTCRAWLER – NOSAJ THING exclusive

5. BERCEUSE – JOHN ROBERTS exclusive

6. PENNY SPARKLE – BLONDE REDHEAD Drew Brown exclusive remix of album track

7. BIRD ON A WIRE – PANTHA DU PRINCE exclusive

8. IN HERE THE WORLD BEGINS – BROADCAST re-release of a tour vinyl-only track

9. DRIP – LIARS/BLONDE REDHEAD previously released track remixed by Blonde Redhead

10. CURVE – DEERHUNTER exclusive

11. STALAGMITE – STALACTITE Susumu Mukai of Zongamin + Drew Brown, exclusive

12. CASTLES IN THE GRAVE – JOHN MAUS exclusive

13. BAMBOO HOUSE – DAVID SYLVIAN/RYUICHI SAKAMOTO previously released

14. SONG SEVEN - INTERPOL previously released b-side

New Doug Martsch Track “SAVE ME” {Video}: From Rotating Tongues 2

Dead C — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:53:36 +0000

15 years ago, a Boise, Idaho music compilation entitled Rotating Tongues was released. Much like Seattle‘s infamous Deep Six grunge compilation, which was reissued that same year, 1994′s Idaho counterpart worked as a definitive representation of the unique musical climate and artists in the Boise area during that time. The album featured artists like The Dirt Farmers and Caustic Resin, as well as what is, arguably, the most “successful” band to rise from that scene, Built To Spill. A decade and a half later, Rotating Tongues 2 has finally been released and, although Built To Spill is not featured on the sequel, frontman Doug Martsch has returned to contribute another exclusive track for the compilation.

Anneliessa Balk Stimpert, the executive producer from the original Rotating Tongues, now runs an Idaho gallery/venue known as the Visual Arts Collective. For the follow up, Stimpert took a slightly different approach, by holding a 2 day concert at the VaC (Feb 20-21, 2009) and recording the 26 featured acts performing their respective contributions to the release live. The event also doubled as a benefit for the Boise Food Bank with a modest admission price of $7 or $5 w/a prepackaged food item. As stated on the official site, each each artist played a “15-minute set showcasing two new songs, never before performed live“. One track from each set has been featured on the album. Martsch has been openly vocal about his love for reggae and dub music, and it’s influence has gradually bled into his own work over recent years. For the song “Save Me“, his RT2 offering which features the songwriter only accompanied by a keyboard, this Caribbean influence is more prominent than ever.

Click here to view the embedded video.

To purchase Rotating Tongues 2

please visit the The Record Exchange

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