Ramble is thrilled to be releasing three experimental releases for Sep 5 - George Christian's improvised guitar from Brazil, drums and taishogoto from Belgium artists Jef Mertens and Dirk Wachtelaer and experimental noise doom-jazz from USA artists ZĀM.
ZĀM: Nemesis LP
ZĀM’s second full length album 'Nemesis' features 13 distinct pieces of music; evolved familiar juxtapositions, at times focused, hypnotic circadian grooves staring down searing, ferocious percolations of feedback, skronk and sludge.
Lead by guitar virtuoso Anthony Pirog (The Messthetics ex-Fugazi), the power duo of of Andrew Colwell (bass, electronics), and Dan Sharnoff (drums, tapes, samples), Nemesis picks up from the '23 release 'Waves of Seeing' and while still retaining a cinematic sensibility, sees the trio incorporate longer, jam-focussed compositions.
While the intense fusion of noise, rock, ambient, glitch, drone, hardcore, sludge, psychedelic, electronica, and free music is still at the forefront, there are smoke veiled interiors, throbbing halations and jagged icy cliffs here.
Encounter electric swirling, molten chambers and iridescent eddies of meditation. There are glimpses of elegance and whiffs of panic and nausea. ZĀM stretches and contorts its sonic fabrics, a mosaic arcade of colours and textures, a cascade of undulating inner visions.
Jef Mertens and Dirk Wachtelaer:
Wonderful Brutalism LPBelgium musicians Jef Mertens and Dirk Wachtelaer have both been active in the field of experimental music since the 1990s—Dirk as a drummer and Jef as a documentary filmmaker.
It wasn’t until 2023 that they met for the first time, after Jef also began focusing on improvised music. In Jef’s attic, the chemistry was immediate, and they recorded their first tape, A Void Dance. Regarding the release, Gonzo wrote: “The duo’s debut leaves you wanting more—much more. Let them play together often. Sparks will fly every time.”
In 2024, they swapped the attic for a studio in Brussels. Jef traded his guitar for the Japanese Taishogoto, and once again, the connection clicked.
'Wonderful Brutalism' is an epic, and at times intense slice of improvisation - drums and taishogoto build into an unrelenting stampede with moments of gentle cinematic soundscape.
Improvisation at its most dynamic and inspiring.
Pre-order from Ramble Records and Many Chants Records Sep 5. Full limited edition vinyl release Sep 19.
https://ramblerecords.bandcamp.com/album/wonderful-brutalism
IMPROVISTOSURTOSIRCUITOS 2X CD
Brazilian avant-garde guitarist George Christian’s compositions on IMPROVISTOSURTOSIRCUITOS were created based on two microtonal tunings that 'sounded interesting enough for me to be able to break away from traditional harmonic thinking’.
The result is a wonderful recording of experimental, psychedelic guitar. With over 50 titles released, George is a prolific, truly independent musician and IMPROVISTOSURTOSIRCUITOS is testament to George's commitment to exploratory guitar and improvised music. Limited edition double CD Sep 5.
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