Clem Leek & Jannick Schou – Pimlico

With only a handful of releases between them, Clem Leek and Jannick Schou have established themselves as rising stars among modern classical composers, and it’s only a matter of time before they become household names and occupy a place of pre-eminence in this humble genre…

Under his own name, as well as through his Cylon moniker, Jannick Schou’s drifting ambience has become a standard of excellence in an over-crowded ambient/drone genre. His release on Under The Spire, “Night”, was a wonderful example of exquisite drone pieces, marrying tape delay and processed guitar to produce four pieces that can soundtrack any nocturnal introspection.

Clem Leek, who will release his much-awaited full-length debut on Hibernate Recordings soon, has, with “Through The Annular” (Scheidos) and “Snow Tales” (Experimedia), produced moving compositions that connect idyllic ambient sounds with assorted field recordings and radio samples.

“Pimlico”, named for, I believe, the small, exquisite area located in London, is a long piece that brings together the unique aesthetic of both artists to create a startling excursion, cinematic in feel, subdued in tone, enveloping in nature, and wonderful all-around. Field recordings, highlighted by chirps of birds, rustling of branches, intermixed with a delicate drone, begin the proceedings, slowly immersing the listener into calm water, with no undertow. Submerging the listener even further, the serenity is heightened by layered drones and shifting soundscapes that alter and augment the piece towards a stunning conclusion.

Sadly, this 3” cdr, which comes beautifully packaged in a small box with stickered artwork and vellum obi strip, was only issued in an edition of 60 and is now sold out at the Dead Pilots website. But, I have it on good authority that Experimedia will be getting a few copies in soon so make sure to keep checking their website. If you don’t manage to secure a copy, fear not, it is available for streaming via soundcloud at the Dead Pilots website. – Review by Michael Vitrano for Fluid Radio

www.deadpilotrecords.co.uk
www.myspace.com/clemleekofficial
www.myspace.com/schoudk