With a multifaceted career tracing its way over more than half a century, Phill Niblock remains one of the great figures of the American musical avant-garde. Few artists have had such a far reaching impact - be it as a composer, filmmaker, photographer, or tireless supporter - over such an enduring period. His guidance and influence on the world of experimental music is incalculable. The precision and beauty of his work is without equal.
Meticulous and deeply committed to possibilities activated by live sound, Niblock has always been reserved in his release of recorded music, rendering each album a rare treasure when it emerges. This distinction is no less the case for Browner (MMXX-12), his contribution to the MMXX Series, a stunning excursion into the sublime depths of drone.
Moving at a glacial pace across its 20 minute length, Browner is an evolving work of interlaced long tones and intimate harmonics, coaxed into captivating interplay by Niblock’s masterful hand. Tension and complexity rises, gives way, and builds again within immersive fields of sonority, provoking the spectre of physical movement within the ear, and reminding us that in his 87th year, Niblock remains one of the true giants of experimental music, minimalism, and drone.
Leaving you on the edge of your seat from the first turn to the last, Browner is Niblock at his absolute best. It doesn’t get more essential than this. Issued in a limited edition of 500 copies on crystal-clear vinyl LP, with a laser engraved artwork on the second side, housed in a transparent sleeve printed with the MMXX logo, and containing an artist print by Niblock, it’s going to be gone in the blink of an eye. Don’t miss out.
Matière Mémoire presents the MMXX Series. In anticipation of the year 2020, Matière Mémoire asked 20 great artists to create an original 20 minutes piece and an artwork. Throughout this year, each quarter will see the release of 5 new vinyls, available individually or as a bundle. Each record is limited at 500 copies and comes as a crystal clear vinyl featuring an original track of 20 minutes on one side, and a laser engraved artwork on the other. Each contained in a transparent sleeve printed with the MMXX logo, and each coming with a print of the artist artwork.
