Node

Introduction

Node is:

Dave Bessell - Interactive Phrase Synthesiser
Gary Stout - Ring Modulated Trumpet
Ed Buller - Modular Moog
Flood - The Putney

Four well-known music producers who decided to knock up an improvised electronic album.  Sounds like an absolute nightmare on paper doesn't it?

[ Album Cover ]

Node
by Node

Released 1995
Label: Deviant
Catalogue: DVNT 5 CD

[ Reviewed July 2002 ]

It's electronic music, naturally very hard to describe so I'll simply start by saying that this album is absolutely fabulous.  Tangerine Dream have a lot to answer for, they were there at the beginning pushing the boundaries of electronic music forward.  This is the sort of thing they should've moved onto instead of going down the route of boring film music and release after release of melodic 4-minute tracks.  This music isn't at all commercial enough though, and wouldn't alone keep them in the lifestyle they're accustomed to, but what about a couple of albums of it lads? Back to the subject in hand and what is it like?

This is improvised music that certainly makes references to the style of early 70s Tangerine Dream, but it sounds fresh and new even 7 years after it was released.  (The closest thing to this would be Future Sound Of London but without the samples.) There are sequences but they are used as components to build up a complex sound rather than being the sound itself.  Short sections of sequences are frantically intertwined with each other and are subject to distortion and stereo panning.  Underneath the sequences are Node's own subtle ambient sounds that go on to form some nice themes that re-visit you in quiet moments.  Out of the five tracks, four are busy and active and the last one is more ambient in nature.  And with that magic track length of around 10 minutes there's no chance of getting bored.

I can't praise this album enough - other artists trying to make electronic music should hear what they've achieved here.  Instead of starting a sequence and twiddling around on top of it they've built the music from lots of smaller parts.  It may of course be a bit too avant-garde for a lot of people as it's short on tunes so you have to persevere with it at first.  You can see why these four are professional musicians.  It was rumoured that they were going to make another album and at the time I thought no, leave it at one perfect album.  A few years later I really could do with another one.  It's a ten.

The label web site is at www.deviant.co.uk and there's a link to allow you to order online at a good price.

Tracks:
1.Clock9:37
2.Olivine7:59
3.Slapback12:11
4.Levy 1111:56
5.Propane14:50
total time 56:50

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[ Album Cover ]

Terminus (CD Single)
by Node

Released 1995
Label: Deviant
Catalogue: dvnt7cds

[ Reviewed July 2002 ]

This is the only other release by the band and is still available.  It was recorded live at Paddington railway station, much to the surprise of the travellers I assume.  Both tracks start with some echoey platform announcement before going into the music.  The short version bounces around with some intense sequences.  The longer version is basically the same music but meanders its way through more stations to get there, the sequences are less intense and there are prolonged quieter bits.

Another sonic treat this one, a nice extension to the album.  Recommended without hesitation despite being a 'single'.

Tracks:
1.Terminus (Express)5:31
2.Terminus (Calling At All Stops...)16:17
total time 21:48

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Copyright Steve Bachini