Tuesday, April 04, 2006

Bhig Ceity Okrasteew / Ctephin: Does Art For...

Artist: Bhig Ceity Okrasteew / Ctephin
Release: Does Art For…
Label: Roil Noise Offensive
Year: 2006
Format: CDr
Tracks: 11
TRT: 77:41


I have a particular liking for split releases; whether they are 2-way, 3-way or 4-way splits, and this is up there for me as the best ambient one I can think of. This release is one of the latest offerings from the Roil Noise label whom just keep putting out quality release month after month and will keep doing so until Noah takes a breath. This split release offers two artists who have been doing experimental noise for some time now, BCO for like the past 20 years, and this is a great 77 minutes worth of pure ambient drifts.

Bhig Ceity Okrasteew, or Big City Orchestra, starts off the disc with their great experimental sounds. Guitars, electronics, noises, drones and anything else these guys can come up with are heard through their five tracks. The 2nd track, Joneynomey, even has a lovely sounding Buddhist type chanting in the background, which is so relaxing. These guys remind me so much of the old Legendary Pink Dots and that’s such a relief now a days with all the shit that’s out. But returning to the release the cascades of each track flow into one another perfectly and these guys know how to make music. They are not just sticking sounds together for the sake of it and track five is just a great piece I’d love to see them play live.

Ctephin is known for his great ambient drones that he can carry well during the whole track. You don’t seem to notice it but a nine-minute track of his can be over before you know it. Within these drones there’s a few sounds going on and they add great to the overall atmosphere of each track. If you a fan of his track ten will surprise you with its quality of harsh noise as well. Ctephin’s tracks seem to be of more a sadder sound than BCO and that maybe just from the instruments being used, but sad of not, I like every track on here. Ctephin is three members as well. His daughter and his wife also create the sounds as well, such as this release, and thus we two great "Orchestra’s" in one fantastic show. I think Stef’s daughter plays the strings in a couple tracks too and she’s bloody good at it.

Another great point to make on this "split" release is that each artist designed the artwork for the other artist’s side. The CDr is packaged in a plastic sleeve so that both sides are visible and CD art itself is a giant, nummy looking kiwi. A tasty treat indeed folks.