The Green Kingdom Prismatic
Posted In: Home Assembly Music, Michael Cottone, Prismatic, The Green Kingdom, The Green Kingdom - Prismatic
Comments: 9 Responses
Release Date 06.09.10: Following the beautiful Twig and Twine (November 2009, Own Records), Michael Cottone returns with Prismatic, his latest work under the moniker The Green Kingdom. The Detroit based sound artist has once again mixed many disparate influences and ideas into a wonderfully creative album…
Opening track Bonfire sets the tone of what’s to come. Unhurried sound manipulation and complex melodies contrast with guitar which at times sounds slightly reminiscent of Fennesz and conjures a similar optimistic spirit which is present on Fennesz’s Endless Summer, but in Cottone’s unique way.
Crystalline chimes open Bells And Thoughts, which then evolves with unconventional beats and delicate guitar, leaving the listener uplifted.
Claudes Ghost is a slow burning number which features a beautiful keyboard riff complemented with field recordings, the effect hypnotic. Mid-way through, the pace changes and the piece begins to ascend, a cacophony of sound seeing out the remainder of the track.
Radiance Reflected begins with an enchanting melody, the wide stereo image helping notes to echo in each ear. Though there’s no simple hook to the track, the artist delights with inventive uses of an arrhythmic beat.
The Largest Creature That Has Ever Existed is characterised by an array of instruments joining the delicate guitar and swelling drones. There’s an array of separate instruments and ideas present yet a feeling of space remains throughout.
Woven is a lush number driven by chorused keyboards and a long drone, the beautiful guitar present again. The piece builds as many elements add to the song, giving a feeling of momentum.
On Wetlands, Cottone performs a haunting piano part backed by cello, static and field recordings, the cinematic track ending on a mournful note.
Thoughts And Bells (3.07 am dub) is beautiful, the remix fusing glockenspiel with glitchy beats and melancholic strings. The track swells up and down majestically.
With its shimmering guitar pushing forward, Bonfire (tec) washes over the listener with intelligent arrangements before slowly deconstructing at the finish.
A Prayer opens with a haunting piano melody which loops over and again, each time more parts added to the mix. Evocative and moving, this piece provides a strong close to the album.
An eclectic album to be released soon through the Yorkshire-based Home Assembly Music, Prismatic is an aural delight of many instruments and ideas, with each track focusing on a different approach. – Review by Adam Williams for Fluid Radio
Pre-orders now available from Home Assembly
www.homeassemblymusic.com
www.myspace.com/thegreenkingdom
www.thegreenkingdom.wordpress.com
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Hi Mike,
This sounds terrific! Will definately get myself a copy of this. Wetlands sounds a lot deeper and more mysterious than the kind of sounds heard on Twig and Twine.
Looking forward to getting five minutes at the computer so I can download this!
Cheers,
Harry
can’t wait…
Thanks for the kind words and great review! Guess some promos went out then, nice
[...] June 30, 2010 · Leave a Comment Fluid Radio has posted a nice little track by track breakdown of Prismatic. You can also stream the track Wetlands, one of my favorite pieces from the album. Check it out here. [...]
[...] Following the beautiful Twig and Twine (November 2009, Own Records), Michael Cottone returns with Prismatic, his latest work under the moniker The Green Kingdom. The Detroit based sound artist has once again mixed many disparate influences and ideas into a wonderfully creative album. More info [...]
Oh wow, just found out about this! “Wetlands” sounds very promising indeed. Can’t wait to listen to the entire album!
The two tracks over at the Home Assembly site sure sound great!
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Fluid Radio, IonXchange and Scooter the Turtle, Stephen Bynum. Stephen Bynum said: The Green Kingdom – Prismatic | Fluid Radio http://bit.ly/bLKLaD [...]