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Zeit Waves from the Sky
Scala, Stefano Impermanence
Alio Die Aura Seminalis
Aglaia Unprofaned Twilight
| Russian Import | Environmental ambient sound installations. Antonio Testa presents a series of sonic environments that are often suggestive of found sound or musical representations of wondrous places. The listener is inclined to envision the musician working in low light somewhere below ground in harmony with his space - each taking equal part - artist and expanse. Softly clanging chimes are scattered against bird song and water movement, a low drone even and measured permeating everything - meditative evolving strains are rippled by unidentifiable sonorous percussives, almost rhythmic - reverberating fluids, spills and streams run across smooth synthetic textures - turbulence gently heaves whilst a soft female voice speaks. We even get to hear Rahien Testa’s first cry on the opening track in his name. The impression is one of timelessness - ancient simplicity against contemporary clarity. The gear list includes stalagmites and field recordings as well as contributions from fellow musicians Alio Die - samples, textures, drones, soundscape from Thailand; Susana Beatriz Alvear and Maurizio Dall’olio - voice; Daniela Risser - crystal bowls among others.
Inframundis, meaning inland "universe" in Latin, is the latest in a considerable discography from percussionist Antonio Testa. Antonio’s website points out that he "specialises in organic sound and the creation of musical atmospheres through the use of a vast array of mostly native and shamanic instruments, together with his own creations made from organic and recycled materials". This interest is clearly evident on this recording which is primarily a piece musical research into stalagmite and stalactite sounds mixed with textures and drones. Stefano Musso shares in four of the ten recordings - Inframundis surely being an album that will appeal to fans of Alio Die. Very meditative and evocative, this CD is one for lovers of experimental sound that enjoy something with an exotic edge, cavern music without the cold isolationist tone that many subterranean explorations employ.