The ‘Blood’ split cassette for EN and Jefre Cantu-Ledesma, released by Constellation Tatsu, is the three-track exploration of a twenty-six minute piece by EN; developed this year on their April tour of Japan with Grouper and recorded upon their return, Cantu-Ledesma was sent parts of the completed track, of which he developed two variations, “I” and “II”.
The original piece by EN, which occupies side A, is melodic drone; well spaced, good deep presence and a weighty organ sound, interspersed with crunchy hiss at the periphery and some percussive strings to open. The second half takes a fairly sinister turn at about the thirteen-minute mark before heading back above the horizon at the end, and the textural diversity of the piece is notable – certainly a journey from one side to the other.
“Variations I” is a short (1:37) loop of some of the more striking parts; a strong whorl of static, organ texture and bass thump.
“Variations II” occupies more considered territory. Although the opening is similar in tone to “I”, the melody that EN hinted at is then fleshed out to a far greater degree, becoming something pretty special in the process.
The cassette of ‘Blood’ is available for the Constellation Tatsu Bandcamp for $6 US, and is worth your attention for the stellar third track alone.