All posts by edwardo

The Victoria Dimension | africanpaper.com (german)

Angesichts der enormen Veröffentlichungsflut Edward Ka-Spels wundert es kaum, dass abgesehen von ein paar Die Hard-Fans wohl den meisten Anhängern des schlaftrunkenen Psychedelikers immer wieder einiges entgeht. Auch wenn man eine handvoll Platten des Legendary Pink Dots-Gründers übergeht – er läuft einem ja nicht weg, und sollte man sich in zwei Jahren mal wieder ein Album von ihm zulegen, so wird es einen sicher wieder mit der gleichen soliden Schrägheit beglücken wie eh und je. Schade wäre es nur, wenn dabei ausgerechnet das vor kurzem erschienene„The Victoria Dimensions“ ungehört bliebe. Aber vielleicht sorgt ja der Titel, der an den LDP-Klassiker „The Maria Dimensions“ anspielt, ja bei einigen fürs nötige Aufmerken.

Klassisch ist „The Victoria Dimension“ zumindest insofern, dass es die wichtigsten Motive und Stilelemente aufleben lässt, die in Ka-Spels Werdegang eine wichtige Rolle gespielt haben. Allem voran ist die Platte eine Feier der Simplizität: Simple Handdrums, schlichtes Fingerpicking und Harmoniumdrones von kindlich anmutender Melodik kontrastieren von Titel zu Titel mit aggressiven, aber monotonen Synthies und monumentalen Detonationen, die die Wurzeln des Musikers in Erinnerung rufen, die eben nicht nur im Psychedelic, sondern ebenso in der alten Industrial-Culture gewachsen sind.

Über all dem verschafft sich eine immer noch jungenhafte Stimme Gehör, die so abwegige Assoziationen wie Paul McCartney oder einen von „simple love“ singenden G.P-Orridge weckt und doch in erster Linie an ein Kind erinnert, dass sich bei seinen Gehversuchen am Mikrophon rührende melodische Eselsbrücken baut. Im Zusammenhang mit der meditativen Entrücktheit vieler Stücke entwickelt die kaum forciert wirkende Unbeholfenheit ein enormes Charisma, und wenn Ka-Spels nasale Stimme im beklemmenden „Night Terror“ von der Angst vor dem Supergau des Phlegmas kündet, nimmt man ihm die lähmende Angst ab.

Neben verwischten, tremolierenden Soundscapes enthält „The Victoria Dimension“ mit „Limbourgia“ und „Red Highway“ auch ein paar veritable Songkracher, und ist trotz seiner Heterogenität doch irgendwie aus einem Guss. Keine chlechte Wahl für den Wiedereinstieg, und Neuankömmlinge, die vorher nur Namen immer mal wieder zu hören bekamen, können hier ihre Lücke bestens füllen.

 

Source: http://africanpaper.com/2015/02/14/edward-ka-spel-the-victoria-dimensions/

Have A Nice Trip

THE TEAR GARDEN

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Cover ImageRelease date and tracklist

October 23, 2009
US CD Subconscious Records sub42

  1. Made In China Part 1
  2. Made In China Part 2
  3. Lonesome Tonight
  4. Figures In The Mist
  5. Palm Sunday
  6. Horace The Diaper
  7. Notheing’s Set In Stone
  8. Spare A Dime
  9. Natural Selection
  10. Nowhere To Land
  11. Blazing Cathedrals
  12. Have A Nice Trip

Credits

  • Edward Ka-Spel- mix and mastering tracks 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, producer, voice
  • Raymond Steeg- mix and mastering tracks 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11
  • Hiwatt Marshall- mix track 2
  • Phil Western- mix track 5
  • Tom Alsemi- mix track 5
  • Statik- mix track 7
  • kArin Collide- mix track 7
  • Patrick Sproule- guitar on track 9
  • Frankie Pett Verschuuren- mix track 8
  • Databomb Dre- second drummer on track 12
  • cEvin Key- producer
  • Brad Vance- mastering

Notes

Produced in 2008/2009.
Recorded at Subconscious Studios, Hollywood.
Mixed at Studio Limburgia.

“Let’s go chasing rabbits” MALKHAZHKA PREMIS

Per Simon Paul, sleeve designer, the track listing is erroneous. The following track listing above is the correct one.

Gatefold cardboard packaging.

***

October 2009
Have a Nice Trip is now available through Subconscious and Terminal Kaleidoscope. It is part of the Beyond the Vault series and is being described as “A new album of material made over the past year at Subconscious and Edward Ka-spel’s home studio. It features mixes by many collaborators including Collide, Humble Brothers, Frankie Pett, Raymond Steeg, and more. Produced by Edward Ka-Spel and cEvin Key.”

***

as posted on litany.net in April 2008-
I am retracing some old steps with past host family members going back 30 years and 4 close friends of mine. Going to photo document / sample as much as possible (been thinking about this for years). I was actually busy saving money to move back to Japan once and for all in 1980 to take a job with Fuji Tv as a music correspondent when I fell into my musical career. I did return 15 years ago, and met Yukihiro Takahashi from YMO, one of my musical inspirations. But this time we will travel to the sacred 3 Buddahs of Japan in Nara, Kamakura, and the biggest in southern Chiba and to Mt Fuji.

Recently I was listening to some of the first recordings of the Pink Dots and it reminded me of how for several years I could have been the moderator of a LPD site I was SO into them. I had sent a few fan letters and I can easily recall why when I listen to these LPs: Brighter Now, Curse, The Tower.

It was amazing recently to have an experience where Edward wanted to come hang out in California and just chill and see what came up. I was surprised to see a few days where 2 or 3 songs ideas were being put down. I haven’t seen that since the old days to be honest. We had a friend loan us some choice mics and I was amazed at Edwards voice, as usual again, years later, now sitting with him in the room. He really is a genius. We would make a song idea with the most primitive means we could to get that human old school feel. Have been working a lot with a monome 128 and max msp, so we have some different palettes. Edward has always has pen in hand, with notebook. I remember visiting Teotihuacan Mexico with him,and in the splendor of witnessing the pyramids Edward had pen to paper. It seems that within a few minutes he has a vision of what he wants and where the trip will take us. Often within a hour he would say “Ok I am ready to lay down the words.” It’s now when I listen back a week later with Ken Marshall that I hear that the lyrics again are from that mind, that brilliant person to whom I have been such a fan for so long. That was fun, but now I am hearing the words hit me instead of looking at the recording levels, and it hits me how fortunate we are to be celebrating our 22nd year being friends, but that the music has always kept us ticking!

The title is currently Have a Nice Trip, and it isn’t finished mixing. We are wondering what to do to make this as special as possible for the final mixes. We will have this ready for pre-xmas on Subconscious.

Currently Ken, Otto and I have been finishing a Library “SCARED” with Scaremeister that has been our priority to finish first, but we have also been composing the new Skinny Puppy at the same time, and have a few nice ones so far for this that we are excited about as well. So busy!

This break going to Japan will be nice and provide the new inspiration for the second half of the recording/mixing year for Skinny Puppy and The Tear Garden and the SCARED library…and other surprises!!! – Cevin Key, April 8, 2008

 

The Shock Exchange

THE LEGENDARY PINK DOTS / kETvECTOR

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Cover Image

Release date and tracklist


April 26, 2015
IT LP Rustblade RBLLP011

SIDE A : The Legendary Pink Dots

  1. A Starry Stripy Submarine a spying on Murmansk
  2. The Lie in The Sky
  3. Blind Man’s Buff

SIDE B: Ketvector

  1. Anta
  2. Merror
  3. SlucidDream
  4. Galleggia

May 17, 2015
NL MP3 self-released on Bandcamp (LPD tracks only)

  1. The Shock Exchange Suite Parts 1-3 21:18

Credits

The Legendary Pink Dots

  • Edward Ka-Spel
  • The Silverman
  • Erik Drost
  • Raymond Steeg

Ketvector

  • Justin Bennett
  • Stefano Rossello

 


Press Release

The Shock Exchange presents an encounter between two of the most interesting and unique projects of the current neo-psychedelic and electronic music panorama.

The Legendary Pink Dots need no introduction, and on Side A they once again solidify their status as musical pioneers with all new songs and swirling psychedelic arrangements led by the charismatic voice of Edward Ka-spel.

Side B is dedicated to the progressive and psychedelic electronic project kETvECTOR, born from the mind of Justin Bennett (Skinny Puppy / Bahntier) together with Stefano Rossello (Bahntier), showcasing many facets of the project; from electronic free jazz to ambient experimental and esoteric avant-garde.

The album also features paintings by Franke Nardiello (aka Groovie Mann) of My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult.

A Trasparent vinyl release exclusively for record store day 2015, not to be missed!

 

 

Easter In The Deep South

THE LEGENDARY PINK DOTS

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Cover Image

Release date and tracklist

March 3, 2015
NL MP3 self-released on Bandcamp

  1. Alabama Songs (Easter ’85) 48:09

    1. The Serviette
    2. Heretic
    3. Mmmmmmmmmmmmm……
    4. Geisha Mermaid
    5. I Am The Way,The Truth, The Light
    6. The Plague
    7. Flowers For The Silverman

 


 Credits

  • The Silverman- keys
  • Patrick Q Wright- violins
  • Julia Niblock- voice, bass
  • Stret Majest Alarme- guitars
  • EK- vox
  • Graham Whitehead- keys
  • Hans Meier- sonic solutions

Notes

Easter 1985 and The Dots were still quite wet behind the ears when it came to live performances. This release is taken from a radio recording of the show at Alabamahalle in Munich on 6 April 1985.  It’s a spirited affair though very rough at the edges.  With the rendition of “Lovers Part 2” the technical problems rendered this delicate song unlistenable so it’s regretfully omitted.  Still, turn up the volume and enjoy this rare little slice of LPD history.

 

 

Recommended solo and other projects

Members of the Legendary Pink Dots have also worked on numerous solo albums and projects involving other musicians.  Here we would like to acquaint you with some of their other work.  Here is a list of songs and pieces by current and former Dots members.

Recommended by Dominic

LPD’s solo projects, then and now – Ten great soundscapes/instrumentals

1. Trapped in Amber, from the 2009 album Trapped in Amber (Edward Ka-Spel)

2. Spring, from the 2014 album Finisterre  (The Silverman, aka Phil Knight)

3. Surfing the Volcano, from the 2013 album Fire Island (Edward Ka-Spel)

4. Dream of the Raintree parts 1 & 2, from the 2007 album Autumn in Umbria (Patrick Q. Wright, LPD’s ex-violinist/multi-instrumentalist)

5. Delayed Chemistry, from the 2002 album So Close, Yet So Far Out (Martijn de Kleer, LPD’s guitarist – 1992 to early 2000s)

6. Lost in Leipzig, from the 2015 EP Mirage Utopia (Stret Majest Alarme, aka Barry Gray, guitarist through most of the 80s)

7. Patterns on the Wall, from the 2011 album A Pleasure Cruise Through 9 Dimensions  (Edward Ka-Spel)

8. Looping ’72, from the 2013 album One Last Pose Before the Ruin (Edward Ka-Spel)

9. Note of Longing/Dawn’s Underwater Light/State of Union, from the 2011 album State of the Union (The Silverman)

10. Requiem Settings 1, 2 & 3, from the 2002 album Requiem Settings album (The Silverman)

 

 


Edward Ka-Spel solo work

January 2016
January is the month of Edward Ka-Spel’s birthday, so it seems fitting to showcase some of his solo work. This list of songs, recommended by Gilbert Lachance, focuses on his work from the 80′ and 90’s.

A radio host for CHUO.FM, Gilbert also did a three part special on Edward Ka-Spel which you can find at the bottom of this page. To hear other episodes of his show From One Extreme To Another, please check out his show’s archive here and here.

1. Even Now from the album Laugh China Doll

2. Flesh Parade from the album AaΔzhyd China Doll

3. Lisa’s Christening from the album Chyekk China Doll

4. The Forbidden Zone from the album Chyekk China Doll

5. Tick Tock from the album Khataclimici China Doll

6. The Unfortunate Demise Of The Fabulous Puccino Brothers from the album AaΔzhyd China Doll

7. Prithee from the album Tanith And The Lion Tree

8. Nuts In May from the album AaΔzhyd China Doll

9. Infinity Waltz from the album Chyekk China Doll

10. Radio 6 from the album Red Letters

 


Edward Ka-Spel solo work Pt. 2: The 1990s

Since January’s list focused mostly on his work from the 1980s, I decided to extend this examination of Edward Ka-Spel’s work and devote a list for each decade of his creative output. This list, courtesy of Anthony X. Jackson focuses on his work from the 1990s.

1. O’ From The Great Sea from the album Tanith and the Lion Tree

2. Illumina 1 from the album The Scriptures of Illumina

3. Memories Of Dr. Bliss from the album The Scriptures of Illumina

4. The Never Man from the album The Scriptures of Illumina

5. There Was a Crooked Man from the album The Scriptures of Illumina

6. Atomic Roses ’95 (Part 1) from the album The Textures Of Illumina

7. Dream Stealer from the single Share The Day / Dream Stealer

8. The Man Who Never Was from the album Down in the City of Heartbreak and Needles Vol. 2

9. Scarlett Cross from the album The Blue Room

10. The Blue Room from the album The Blue Room