Artist : William Basinski
Title : El Camino Real
Genre : Ambient
Year : 2007
Date : 07/06/2007
Bitrate : VBR kbps
Tracks : 01
Label : 2062
Source : CDDA
Encoder : Lame 3.97
Length : 50:00 min
Size : 61,3 MB
Tracklist:
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01.El Camino Real 50:00
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50:00 min
Tape loop, recorded live, Los Angeles, July 2006.
First 300 copies came numbered and signed.
from Boomkat:
Background information is typically scant with this latest release from William Basinski's 2062 label, but
what we do know is that it features re-discovered tape loops that have been delicately re-crafted for a
recent performance at the Montalvo Arts Center. Clocking in at just under 50 minutes, "El Camino Real" is
another one of those breathtaking aural tapestries that Basinski seems to have such an intuitive feel for -
effortlessly piecing together elements that bring to mind everything from Arvo Part through to the Cocteau
Twins without ever letting go of his own signature sound. Because the source material for these loops has
been de-graded and layered so heavily, it's hard to imagine where they could have come from or how they
could have been made - all that we're left with are mesmerising remnants of a ghostly female voice
dominating the undulating mix to almost harrowing effect. There's also something about this recording that
brings to mind more recent contemporary musical experimentations, and in particular the work of Liz
Harris under the Grouper moniker - its the same archetypal shoegaze aesthetic that dominates this
extended piece and it has a similarly overwhelming effect on the senses : lulling you into a deep state of
drift before reminding you that behind the velvety wall of sound lies an uncertain, complex world. "El
Camino Real" is certainly one of Basinski's most absorbing pieces and, for us at least, offers the most
contemporary re-interpretation of his own archive recordings to date. We just can't imagine anyone not
being overwhelmed by this music - take a listen and sink in while you can...
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