ARTIST: VA
TITLE: Project Bicycle
LABEL: Ache Records
GENRE: Electronic
BITRATE: 222kbps avg
PLAYTIME: 0h 46m total
RELEASE DATE: 2006-06-06
RIP DATE: 2006-05-20
Track List
----------
1. Aelters - RoulΘ BrouillΘ 3:15
2. Jab Mica Och El - Side Car 2:34
Bicycle
3. Sun Ok Papi K.O. - Pizza Boy's 2:47
Bike
4. Secret Mommy - Gas Prices 4:34
5. DJ Elephant Power - Bikebou 3:15
6. TU M' - Ladri Di Biciclette 6:30
7. Romanhead - Bicycle Work 4:59
8. UskΘ Niko - Les Klaxons De 1:12
Madame Dupont
9. Greg Davis - Sagres (V.6) 6:36
10. Wobbly - Flee You 6:22
11. Jason Forrest - Breaking Away 3:00
12. Project Bicycle - Original 1:47
Sample
Release Notes:
http://www.acherecords.com
Eleven electronic / electro-acoustic artists from eight countries unify to pay
homage to what listeners of BBC Radio 4's You and Yours radio program have voted
as the most significant invention since 1800, beating computers, the internet,
and even the combustion engine with more then half the total votes.
The concept is simple: Give a handful of today's most progressive sound
designers only one sample to work with. They are able to manipulate this sample
in any way they choose, but their entire song most be composed entirely from the
single sound byte.
The supplied sample is a studio recording of a bicycle, recorded by Jesse Gander
at The Hive Studios in Vancouver. This gives equal importance to the materials
as well as the method used in PROJECT: BICYCLE. This, along with the beautifully
written essay on bicycle riding and itÆs social, environmental, and physical
benefits by Green Party Candidate, Sean Orr, offers a deeper concept to the
project. With the inevitable threat of peak oil in our not too distant future,
it is time we opened the lines of communication to other forms of energy and
transportation.
The incredibly international list of artists (USA, CANADA, FRANCE, BELGIUM,
GERMANY, DENMARK, ENGLAND, and ITALY) also furthers the concept, illustrating
that peak oil, and global warming is everyoneÆs concern, not just one country or
region.
Each artist has chosen to tackle the project uniquely, embracing his own
particular style. Whether itÆs the playful, electrifying outburstÆs of SUN O.K.
PAPI KOÆs æPizza Boy's BikeÆ (Belgium) and AELTERSÆ æRoulΘ BrouillΘÆ (France),
or the smoother approaches of WOBBLYÆs æFlee You' (USA), and ROMANHEADÆs
æBicycle WorkÆ (UK), the various techniques in composition and style offer an
incredibly dynamic listen, given PROJECT: BICYCLEÆs strict guidelines.
Perhaps the most interesting piece, GREG DAVISÆ æSagres' (USA) is a collection
of manipulations of the original sample played back threw a handheld tape player
while he rides around town on his own bicycle, pushing the boundaries of music,
as well as this project.
PROJECT: BICYCLE is open sourced, meaning the original sample appears untouched
at the end of the compilation. This gives the listener a point of reference for
each artists song, offering an inside perspective on what each musician chose to
do with the supplied sound. It also encourages the listener to get involved on
more then an audience level, offering the means to create a song themselves,
removing the hierarchal relationship between artist and fan.
Overall, PROJECT: BICYCLE is an important compilation that unifies several ideas
about politics and art, activism and creativity. Yet, these ideas are presented
modestly and open for interpretation, not relying on a æbeat you over the headÆ
approach that can be intimidating. On the most basic level, it is simply a
collection of wonderful music by some of the worldÆs most creative people, with
a simple message: have fun riding your bike.