tommy@kraak.net (Curator)

It took Ernesto Gonzalez more than three years to record the follow-up for his ‘Vallée de Dith’, but it was definitely worth the waiting! ‘El Telonero’ is a tribute to the art of opening up for other bands. This album was created during a period in which Gonzalez got more comfortable on stage, often setting the vibe for the night. Concentrating on the ultimate tuning-in quality. The loose kraut-inspired jams of his second record are pretty much absent here. The focus is on analog synths and old drum computers, but unlike the whole neo-ambient just-bought-something-analog-and-ran-it-through-my-loopstation-scene this album is a well constructed and elaborated piece of art. Taking his inspirations from old masters such as Mort Garson, Bruce Haack, Angel Rada and Martin Rev, ‘El Telonero’ became a throbbing head spinner that is as much an ambitious third ear experience as an exotic library dream. The whole is heavily fueled by catchy mind melodies.

Connecting his many worlds, ideas and influences into highly personal live performances and recordings, Floris Vanhoof keeps on amazing people here and abroad. After his vinyl debut on Ultra Eczema, this is his second outing on wax. Cycles of Confusion unites two different aspects of Vanhoof’s work. Side A is a live piece recorded to four tracks and mixed in his home studio. It shows Vanhoof’s Riley inspired side, focussing on consciousness outside the mind as evoked by modular synth sounds. Side B is a very unique composition based on various field recordings, ranging from a classical orchestra tuning their instruments to the sound of an old pinball game. A true masterpiece of this young artist.