Artist : Tobias Hellkvist
Title : Evolutions
Genre : Ambient
Year : 2010
Date : 05/2010
Bitrate : VBR kbps
Tracks : 07
Label : Home Normal
Source : CDDA
Encoder : Lame 3.97
Length : 54:01 min
Size : 61,9 MB
Tracklist:
----------
01.Fresh Start 06:26
02.Patience 07:01
03.Scars And Stripes 08:39
04.White Hole 03:10
05.Arms 06:47
06.The Ladder 12:02
07.Sore 09:56
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54:01 min
Tobias Hellkvist is a multi-
instrumentalist from Sweden. To date he
has released two full-length albums,
Evolutions being his third.
Whilst much of Tobias work has
previously revolved around acoustic
guitar elements, Evolutions takes us
into denser minimalist textures. That
isnÆt to say the acoustic elements are
absent from TobiasÆs latest work, as the
subtle use of guitar, zither, accordian
and glockenspiel processing throughout
the whole album shows. ItÆs simply that
the acoustic elements in Evolutions are
more subtly woven into the fabric of the
beautiful dirge-like textures.
The Silent Ballet called Tobias æone of
SwedenÆs best kept secretsÆ. With two
limited self-releases to his name, itÆs
not hard to see why. TobiasÆs music is
incredibly mature, deep and yet seems to
carry an innocent soul with it at the
same time. I think itÆs probably this
that caught me the most when I first
heard Evolutions. ItÆs also very rare to
hear such a talented musician, with a
keen ear for dense drone structures, to
lay open the acoustic elements, never
processing them too much, if at all.
So how do I sum up such an album? Is it
ambient? Is it drone? Is it folk? Well,
truth be told its all of these and so
much more. ItÆs a work of great
patience, beauty and gentleness, the
archetypal Home Normal release in many
ways. With amazing artwork from the
highly talented Anna Johansson, itÆs an
incredible work and a real honour for
Home Normal to put out the first widely
distributed album by such a talented
artist. LetÆs just hope he isnÆt just
one of SwedenÆs æbest kept secretsÆ for
too much longer.
Composed, performed and produced by
Tobias Hellkvist
Artwork by Anna Johansson
www.tobiashellkvist.com
www.myspace.com/tobiashellkvist
info@tobiashellkvist.com