A new release from our favorite and mysterious Don Mandarin. For those who don´t know who he is, then I suggest you read a former review I did with one of his releases called Black Crown. An underground artist with an immense body of work. Started in an indie-rock band back in called Head (1987-1989), and then, later on, got into experimental trip-hop stuff with Pregnant and Applecraft (1997-2010). And then started his solo recordings as Don Mandarin in 2016, often releasing huge cassette box-sets with a beautiful and detailed nod on the aesthetic of the design. It should also be mentioned that it was also him, that designed the sleeve for the Pop Groups Y album in 1979.
The stuff he does is a strange mixture between field-recordings, early industrial, and dub and often invoking such feelings as nostalgia being a timeless thing of wonder. Quite often we´re dealing with the mood of something like exotica. If you can imagine, the hidden link between the world of Bryn Jones, Throbbing Gristle, and Martin Denny.
This one release comes with a BEAUTIFUL book! The kind of which you read in while Don Mandarin takes you on a fantastic journey. It REALLY is quite the trip I tell you, let us check the tracks within!
In the first track, you have someone singing a peculiar song (While walking). Something about how his minus fortune keeps on following him, and then the track stops.
Track two imediatiatly enters Asian territories. Reversed violins, traditional Asian music-instrument with strings with then some stringed-synth going on as well. Sort of reminds me of Coil in a way. A really beautiful mysterious and highly aesthetic piece, that puts the listener in the right mood.
The Third track moves into harsh soundscapes with industrial elements, almost a bit like Prurient. A fat and distorted bass, and interesting looped sounds jump in and out of focus. It may sound like a bloody mess (From Asian stuff to harsh stuff), but so far the conceptual mood sticks very nicely!.
On the fourth track, we are entering straight into field recordings. Might be on some bus, with some nice young ladies chatting about everyday stuff. Something about someone being a bitch because of that and that, you know... that sort of talk you hear in a bus you are trying hard to ignore. Of course, I end up thinking of Throbbing Gristle here, tracks like Wall of Sound and Hometime.
The fifth track is a haunting piece of old-school industrial soundscapes. Thinking about old English coastal cities falling into a state of decay and disrepair. Rust, grey-colored and rotten boards all around. Sounds really ugly, but really beautiful.
The sixth track is where it gets even weirder. Sounds like Don Mandarin has resurrected Bill Evans, playing one of those jazzy synths (which he managed before he died). Gobsmacking shit I tell you.
I will now jump straight into my favorite track on the album which is track 9. A long journey into an improvised dub-inspired jam. A real masterpiece if you ask me. Slowly starting and slowly building up to show all the expressive ideas and spacy sound effects 35 minutes can hold! Just bass, drums, vocals, and effects. Imagine a 35-minute version of Alien Sex Fiend´s Magic with Nurse With Wound! That sort of trippy thing. Could have this one track on repeat the entire day (if you ask me!).
The rest of the album is something for you to discover! Its a highly strange and unique album from another planet, but using a language which you all can understand (in some way). That is where the book can help you to understand the recordings within, either the recordings get you into the mood of reading the book or vice versa! The two items are closely knitted together (as you can read). I HIGHLY recommend this jewel on all accounts! Still available (Link below).
